



















copyright deposit. 





































































































. 







































































THE WONDER ISLAND BOYS 


Bt ROGER T. FINLAY 

Thrilling adventures by sea and land of two boys and 
an aged Professor who are cast away on an island with 
absolutely nothing but their clothing. By gradual and 
natural stages they succeed in constructing all forms of 
devices used in the mechanical arts and learn the 
scientific theories involved in every walk of life. These 
subjects are all treated in an incidental and natural way 
in the progress of events, from the most fundamental 
standpoint without technicalities, and include every 
department of knowledge. Numerous illustrations 
accompany the text. 

Two thousand things every boy ought to know. Every page 
a romance. Every line a fact 


Six titles — 60 cents per volume 


THE WONDER ISLAND BOYS 
The Castaways 

THE WONDER ISLAND BOYS 
Exploring the Island 

THE WONDER ISLAND BOYS 
The Mysteries of the Caverns 

THE WONDER ISLAND BOYS 
The Tribesmen 

THE WONDER ISLAND BOYS 
The Capture and Pursuit 

THE WONDER ISLAND BOYS 
The Conquest of the Savages 


PUBLISHED BY 

THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY 

147 Fourth Avenue New York 


THE WONDER ISLAND BOYS 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 











" The warriors approached unsuspectingly ” 


[See p. 53] 



The Wonder Island Boys 

CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


BY 

ROGER T. FINLAY 


ILLUSTRATED 




THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY 

New York 



Copyright, 1914 , by 
THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY 



JUN -6 1914 

©CI.A376289 

*-o / 


CONTENTS 


L The Fight at the Savages’ Camp Page 11 

The reappearance of Harry in excitement. Explaining 
the situation hurriedly. The arrival of a new band. 
Putting the wagon in position to resist attack. Ab- 
sence of John and George. The warning from the 
Professor. The shot west of the camp. John and 
George circling the camp. Unexpected meeting with 
the warriors. The pursuit. The second band from the 
north. The Professor scouting to the north of the 
camp. Discovers the approach of reinforcements. The 
flight of George and John. Reaching the wagon. 
Searching for the Professor. Concentration of various 
tribes. Discovering the wagon. Preparing for attack. 
The absence of John and the Professor. The boys’ 
ruse. The attack and repulse. John and the Pro- 
fessor approach the wagon. After the attack. Taking 
a hand. Results of the fight. 

II. The Reconnoiteking Seat in the Tree Page 23 

Bringing in the wounded warriors. Ascertaining that 
the savages knew of their home at the Cataract. First 
noticing the different headdresses. Distinguishing the 
different tribes. The curly hair. The Kurabus. The 
Saboros. The Tuolos who captured Ralph and Tom. 
The savages temporarily disappear. Waiting for re- 
inforcements. Determined to resist. In the morning. 
Surrounded. The interview with the wounded captive. 
No attack during the day. Determine to reach the 
river. The escape in the night. Discovered. Diffi- 
culty in moving through the brush. Sighting a small 
stream. Erecting the fort. Awaiting the attack. A 
trinket. The blue stone talisman. Angel reconnoiter- 
ing. The adjacent tree. How he made a seat for 
George. The rope ladder. Making observations. 

III. The Midnight Return to Defend Cataract. .Page 34 
A view of the besiegers. Angel’s gun. The surprise 
of the savages at Angel’s antics with the gun. Two 
tribes. The Saboros and Kurabus. Ralph and George 
as tree pickets. Symptoms of blood poisoning in the 
captive. Inflammation. Septic poisons. Infection. 
Toxins. Causes of fever. Chills. John’s midnight 
maneuver. A shot. Excitement in the native camps. 

1 


2 


CONTENTS 


The noises coming nearer. John appears in native 
garb. His story. Encouraging strife between the be- 
sieging tribes. Hostilities. The fight. The Kurabus 
defeated. Cut off. Retreating to the north. Fear 
* they will go to the Cataract. Reinforcements for the 
Kurabus. Discover the wagon. Learn of the fight 
with the Saboros. Determine to return and defend 
Cataract. The midnight march. 

IV. The Attack on Cataract Page 46 

Avoiding the warriors. Crossing the stream. The 
march through the forest. Sighting Cataract. No 
natives in sight. Cataract home intact. Concealing 
the wagon. Preparing for the arrival of the war band. 
Trying to talk to the captive Saboros. The “Tree of 
Life.” Oil. The savage use for ointment. Health and 
comfort. Biblical use. The approach of the warriors. 
The Kurabus. Reinforced. They approach unsuspect- 
ingly. The volley. Consternation and retreat. The 
savages refuse to treat. Bringing in the wounded 
Kurabus. Internal bleeding. Coagulation a safety. 
Nature’s way of protecting. Paralysis. Patient im- 
proving. The constant watch. An apparent conflict 
among the besiegers. John’s reasoning. The attack 
delayed. 

V. Trying to Establish Communications with the 

Natives Page 58 

Awaiting the night. How news travels among savage 
tribes. Questioning the Saboros. The pictures of the 
boys shown to the captives. Recognized by them. The 
headdresses. From their own tribes. The talk be- 
tween the Kurabus and the Saboros. John shows the 
Saboro the picture of a bearded man. Recognizes it. 
Knives and forks. Surprise of the captives. Nature’s 
knives and forks. The besiegers examining the water 
wheel. Mischief on the part of Harry and Tom. Giv- 
ing the warriors an exhibition. Hitching up the saw- 
mill. A startled audience. The accident to Harry. 
The decaying bodies of the dead warriors. The burial. 
Refusing to let Harry participate. The explanation. 
The terrible poison of putrefied human flesh. Why 
the putrefied germs of a specie is so deadly to its own 
kind. Utilizing the knowledge in the making of 
serums. Trying to communicate with the besiegers 
through the captives. A litter. Harry’s inscription 
on it. Carrying out the wounded captive. Sabbath. 
How determined. The captives and the skeletons. 
Making trinkets. Disappearance of the besiegers. 


CONTENTS 


3 


VI. Approaching the First Hostile Camp Page 71 

© 

Significance of gifts. What are the real kinds. The 
Bible and the gun. Preparing weapons. Ammunition. 
Overhauling the wagon. Stut and Chump. Prepar- 
ing a new expedition. Determining a course. The 
Osagas. The Chief Uraso. Encamping on upper Cata- 
ract River. The enemy’s country. John and George 
as advance scouts. Observations from trees. The 
tributary of West River. Angel’s danger signal. 
Sighting the inhabitants. Tribal warfare. A num- 
ber in sight. A village. The objective point. Camp- 
ing for the night. Familiar ground to John. Their 
policy. A bold front. Caution. Absence of fires. 
Tribes at war. The hostile camp. John’s approach. 
Thoroughly examining the camp. Encircling their 
position. Peculiar picketing of the native camp. An 
elevation. 


VII. John and Stut Rescuing Three Captives . . . .Page 85 
The lights beyond the elevation. The village to the 
rear of the savages’ camp. Unusual commotion in 
the camp. The arrival of new warriors. Hilarity in 
camp. Bringing in captives. The fire around the 
captives. Three bound victims. A bearded white man. 
Returning to the wagon. The Professor’s investiga- 
tion of the camp. John determines to rescue the 
captives. The preparations. Stut assisting. Using 
the captives’ garments. Reaching the natives’ camp. 
Waiting for the fires to die down. John and Stut 
approaching cautiously. Entering the camp circle. 
Lying down. The guard of the prisoners. Selecting 
Stut for guard. John at the side of the captives. 
Stut encouraging the guards to sleep. John holds up 
a warning finger to the white man. Pushing over a 
knife. Releasing the cords of his fellow captives. The 
captives’ stealthy movements from the camp. Dis- 
covered by a guard. A dash for freedom. John and 
Stut covering the retreat. The Professor accosts the 
rescued captives. Stopping the pursuit. John and 
Stut deceiving the warriors. Eluding them. John 
and Stut at the wagon. Stut recognizes his brother. 


VIII. The Rescued Chief Muro Page 97 

The white captive John’s shipmate and companion. 
Joy in the party. Giving Muro a spear. Blakely 
admiring the wagon. The Brabos. The Osagas. The 
interposing forest. Taking up the fort. Moving 


4 


CONTENTS 


toward the village. Fording the river. Morning. The 
Saboros amused and surprised at Angel. The boys 
telling Blakely about Cataract. The hungry captives. 
Forming a picket line. The romance of wheels. Early 
origin. John and Stut’s trip to the native village. 
Learn of another village to the south. Blakely’s story 
of the captive boys. The savages carry a boat east 
from the West River. Tuolos the bitterest foes. How 
Blakely evaded the inhabitants. His home at the 
edge of the forest. Twice captured. 

IX. March to the South. The Message to the 

Saboro Tribe Page 109 

A council of war. The talk with Muro. Appearance 
of a band of Brabos. Passing the fort. The trying 
winds. Monsoons twice each year. The night pickets. 
Why the inhabitants all lived in southwestern portion 
of the island. Climatic reasons. Spanish Missions. 
Indian village sites. Capacity of primitive races to 
find the best locations. The deference shown Muro. 
The guns fascinating him. Muro’s admiration for 
Harry. Muro’s sign of eternal friendship. Gratitude 
sacred in savage minds. Blakely training the force. 
The Saboros taught how to use the guns. A fighting 
force of eleven. The Saboros forming the camp guard. 
Tracking the wagon by the wheel imprints. Putting 
up the fort. Muro delegates Stut to go to his tribe. 
His departure. 

X. The Capture of the Professor Page 121 

The long watch by night. Subjects discussed. Sav- 
age persistency discussed. Cardinal points in human 
nature. The savages seen to the north. The “Fire 
Fiends.” Muro exhibiting himself to his late captors. 
He sees the work of the guns for the first time. The 
siege of the wagon. Surprise parties in the night. 
Taking up the fort. Continuing the advance to the 
south. Muro advises avoiding the Kurabus territory. 
The camp surrounded the second night. Mysterious 
disappearance of the Brabos during the night. The 
Professor prospecting in the hills. The noon hour. Cap- 
tured. John sees the natives to the South. The effect of 
the Professor’s capture on the boys*. The pursuit. The 
forest where Blakely made his home. Uncertainty as 
to the tribe which captured the Professor. John, Muro, 
and the other Saboros follow the trail of the natives. 
The wagon following. How the Professor was cap- 
tured. Taken to the Berees’ village. The meeting 
with the chief. Curing the chief’s daughter. Grati- 


CONTENTS 


5 


tude. The chief indicates that the Professor may 
return to his people. He refuses. Examines the vil- 
lage. Treats the wounded. Synthetic food. Refuses 
to take food. Wonder of the natives. Mystery and 
its part in savage life. The medicine men. Impress- 
ing them with his power. John finds himself before 
a hostile party. 


XI. Finding More of the “Investigator’s” Boys. .Page 136 

Another tribe coming up. Two tribes at war in their 
front. Barring the way. The next day. Still fight- 
ing. The Professor’s doubts and perplexities about 
John and the boys. His discovery of the prisoners’ 
stockade. Finds two boys who belonged to the In- 
vestigator. Removes them from the enclosure. Takes 
them to the chief. The Professor explains why he is 
there. The boys understand the language. Teach 
the Professor. The boys take a bath. Furnished 
clothes by the chief. Finding a soap plant. Explains 
why he uses the food tablets. Living without eating. 
The boys tell their story. The elaborate meal set out 
by the chief. Furnishing the Professor and the boys 
with a hut. Learning the principal words in the 
Berees’ language. A small vocabulary. Finding pe- 
culiar nuts. The uses of salt. 


XII. The Pursuit Intercepted by Fight Between 

Tribes Page 145 

An exasperating situation. The fighting tribes pre- 
venting John from continuing the search. John ap- 
proaches the camps at night. Fails to find evidences 
of captives. The Berees. No news from John in five 
days. Muro and Nomo, disguised as Berees, approach 
their camp. No captives there. Visit the Osagas with 
like results. Nomo captured. John determines to 
enter the Osagas’ camp alone. Instructions to be 
followed. Angel in the tree. The telltale chatter. 
Looking to the north. Kurabus. No word from Stut. 
Perplexed. With whom were the Kurabus allied? 
The advance scouts of their tribe. Discovering the 
wagon. The fight between the Berees and the Osagas. 
The Kurabus making a detour. The fort taken down. 
Hurrying the team to the east. John’s reasons for 
escaping from the vicinity. John and Muro as rear 
guards. Maying tracks in the wrong direction. Cross- 
ing the ridge to safety. 


6 


CONTENTS 


XIII. The Berees Warriors Under Command of the 

Professor Page 157 

Names of the rescued boys in the camp of the Berees. 
Commotion in the village. Learning about a bitter 
fight. News from the Osagas. Calling on the chief. 
Uraso’s name startles the chief. The Professor learns 
that the Berees believe the white men sacrificed 
Uraso. Fighting for revenge. The Professor explains 
the situation to the chief. The. warriors instructed 
to follow the Professor. His talk with the chief about 
thunder and lightning. The Great Spirit. The good 
and the bad. The chief’s peculiar theology. Grow- 
ing, or being made. Sacrificing captives. Reasons 
for it. The wise men. Prayer, asking. Sacrificing, 
giving. Ralsea, sub-chief. John and his party. A 
long night. How war prevents agricultural pursuits. 
Promoting the island. Rich soil. Utilizing the in- 
habitants. The law of least resistance. Property. 
Its sacred character. Want one of the first signs of 
civilization. Law. A party of Brabos going through 
Kurabus’ country. The Brabos attack. A stinging 
defeat. The charge on the enemy. Pineapples. 

XIV. The Wagon in the Fighting Zone of Four 

Tribes Page 170 

Getting the number of the different tribes. Learn- 
ing about their quarrels. The Professor tells about 
the white man’s power. The chief’s questions. A lit- 
ter for the Professor. On the march. Ralsea agree- 
able. More Berees from the north. Learning about 
the actions of the Kurabus. The Professor decides to go 
to the Osaga’s village. Refuse to permit any of their 
people to be injured. Learn the route of the Osagas’ 
warriors. Going forward. Decides to send a runner to 
John. Ralsea picks Sutoto. The message to John. How 
and on what it was written. Sutoto’s character. His 
departure. John learns that Muro’s wife is Uraso’s 
sister. The Berees good people. Suros chief of the 
Berees. The Iliyas near the mountains. Only Iliyas, 
Tuolos and Kurabus kill captives. The wagon going 
southeast. Kurabus appearing in front. A hurried 
retreat to the east. Warriors ahead of them. The 
Brabos. The wagon in the central fight zone of the 
four tribes. Determine to fight. 

XV. Uraso Captured by the Berees. Welcomed by 

the Professor Page 182 

The Professor within Osaga’s territory. Advises the 
people they will not be injured. Telling them Uraso 


CONTENTS 


7 


was not injured by the white people. Following the 
Osagas to prevent them from attacking the wagon. 
Blakely and John notice the peculiar manner in which 
the tribes march. Characteristics of people. Unaware 
of the presence of the wagon. Discovered by the last 
tribe. The fort ready for the fight. Kurabus circling 
the fort. Muro’s first shot with the gun. A good 
marksman. Defeat of attacking party. Rain. In- 
ability to use the bows. An uncomfortable night. A 
call in the darkness. An object held up outside the 
fort. Sutoto arrives with the message from the Pro- 
fessor. Helping him into the fort. A royal welcome. 
Tells the story of the Professor. Recognizes Muro. 
Blakely recalls Sutoto. The Professor hurrying for- 
ward. A lurking native. Cries of Osaga. Recognizes 
Uraso. Captured and escaped. Uraso’s surprise at 
the Professor in command of the Berees. Uraso ex- 
plains. Tells the people about the Professor. 

XVI. A Perplexing Mix-up Page 195 

Preparing to attack the wagon. Sutoto recognizes the 
Brabos. Natives on four sides. A mix-up. The 
attack from all sides. The first volley. A charge. 
The terrible fire from the fort. Repulsed. Sutoto’s 
delight. The Kurabus sight the Brabos. The peculiar 
movements of the Brabos. Going to the south. The 
Iliyas in pursuit. The charge of John and party 
on the Kurabus. Flight to the north. The Professor 
hears the boom of the guns. Intense haste. Fearing the 
Osagas have attacked. The firing continues. Sending 
out a scout for John. No word from the front. Mid- 
night. The Professor learns that the Osagas are not 
engaged. Showing feeling by expressions. How dif- 
ferent people express their emotions. National char- 
acteristics. Who is the wise man ? What is wisdom ? 
Learning who are the people to the west of them. 
Ralsea and Uraso go to the north. The Kurabus again 
attacking the fighting parties. Decide to go west and 
cross the river. Evading the warring factions. 

XVII. The Saboros Coming to the Rescue Page 208 

The Kurabus joining the Iliyas. The Brabos to the 
south of the Iliyas. The wagon arrested in its west- 
ward flight. The tribes opposing each other. The 
arrival of the tribe from the east. A surprise. Believe 
it to be the Saboros. The defeat of the Iliyas and 
Kurabus. The retreating forces. The Professor gets 
no word from Ralsea and Uraso. Other scouts go 
forward. A scout returns. No sounds of guns for 


8 


CONTENTS 


three days. A war party east of the Professor. The 
Saboros appear. The Professor appears before them. 
Their astonishment. Stut rushes forward. Recognizes 
the Professor. Combining their forces. Stilt’s story. 
Causes of the war. Escaped when Brabos attacked 
Kurabus’ village. Indications that the Osagas had 
joined the Brabos. Stut surprised to know that Uraso 
had been captured by the Iliyas. Learning of a treaty 
between the Iliyas, Tuolos and Kurabus. News of the 
defeat of the Iliyas and Kurabus. The advance. 

XVIII. The Terrible Fight and Final Victory Page 219 

The retreating tribes approaching the wagon. Angel 
discovers a tribe coming from the north. The Tuolos. 
Going to the assistance of the Iliyas and Kurabus. 
Again in the path of the hostiles. Trying to escape 
to the river. The Kurabus driven to the river. The 
intercepted journey. Erecting the fort. The Brabos 
pursuing the Kurabus. A stealthy warrior. Muro 
sees him. Recognizes Uraso. The boys wild with 
excitement. Uraso points out the Osagas nearest the 
river. Tells them about the Professor. The Tuolos 
coming from the north. Reasons why Uraso could 
not return to the Professor. Tells why the Professor 
went to the Osaga’s village. The Professor and the 
two tribes passing over the battlefield of the previous 
day. Ralsea returns with news of the wagon and its 
safety. News that the Brabos and Osagas were wreak- 
ing vengeance. The sound of the guns from the fort. 
The Professor advancing in haste. The Tuolos charg- 
ing the wagon. The frightful volley. The Kurabus 
coming to assist. The Ulyas driven back by the 
Saboros and the Osagas. A combined attack. Com- 
plete defeat of the allied tribes. The Professor and 
his allies surround the wagon. The happy reunion. 


LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 


“ The warriors approached unsuspectingly ” Frontispiece 

PAGE 

“ When George reached the limb which Angel occupied, the 

latter was jubilant in his expressions of pleasure” 23 

“ ‘ Do you think they will be able to read that? ’ asked Will ”.166 
“ Each one trying to be the first to grasp Uraso by the hand, 

and welcome him ” 230 

Angel’s Seat 32 

Rope Ladder 37 

The Cataract Home 49 

Savage Headdress 59 

Primitive Forks 61 

Harry’s Message on the Litter 66 

Angel in a Papaw Tree Sighting the Savages 78 

The Primitive Wheel 102 

Arrow Type Most Frequently Used 123 

Shell Vessels 130 

Soap Plant 140 

Pistachio 144 

Pineapple 168 

The Plantain ...» 177 

Message on the Plantain Leaf 190 

Map Showing Position of the Parties 204 

The Battle Ground at the Wagon 223 


9 



CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


CHAPTER I 

THE FIGHT AT THE SAVAGES’ CAMP 

The Professor, Harry and Tom were dumb- 
founded at the excited condition of Ralph, as he 
emerged from the wood and told them to reach 
the wagon as quickly as possible. 

“Where are John and George?” asked the Pro- 
fessor, as all hurriedly ran to the rear. 

“George had already gone forward to take his 
position, when we saw a large number of the 
savages appear to our left, and he asked me to 
tell you at once, while he went after George to 
inform him of the danger.” 

“It will not do to leave them in this way. Go 
back to the wagon and get all the guns ready, 
and I will remain here, so that at the first sign 
I may be ready to aid them. If we do not return 
for some time, or in the event you hear any firing, 
two of you must come to me with the reserve 
guns.” 

The boys hurried to the wagon, all the reserve 
weapons were taken out, and the ammunition put 
in order for instant use. They waited impa- 
tiently for the first sign which would be the sig- 
nal to act, but fully a half hour passed, and, after 
consulting, it was decided that Ralph and Tom 
should go to the Professor at once, and take with 
11 


12 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


them four extra guns, leaving Harry, who knew 
most about the yaks and how to handle them in 
an emergency. 

In order to make the situation clear, it will be 
necessary to make a digression from the story. 

About fourteen months previous to the opening 
event of this chapter, an aged Professor and two 
of the hoys, named George Mayfield and Harry 
Crandall, who were shipmates on the school ship In- 
vestigator, were wrecked at sea, and stranded on 
an unknown shore. They were stripped of every- 
thing hut their clothing, and of that had only 
a scanty supply. 

Without tools of any sort, or any of the means 
to procure food or clothing, they did not despair, 
but set to work, in the most primitive way, to 
dig "the different things from the earth, and to 
make clothing, tools and other requirements. 

They found the various metals and vegetable 
products ; constructed a water wheel ; a sawmill ; 
put up a small shop in which were installed the 
various tools, such as lathes, grindstone, drilling 
machines, and the like ; a loom was eventually de- 
vised, to utilize the vegetable fibers, and by means 
of which clothing was provided. 

During the work which necessities forced upon 
them, they were desirous of knowing something 
of the land which had received them, and several 
trips were made into the interior, during which 
time evidence was found of the existence of 
tribes of savages as neighbors, but could not learn 
definitely where they were located, nor had they 
any means of determining the number. 


FIGHT AT THE SAVAGES’ CAMP 13 


Fortunately, some yaks, a wild species of cat- 
tle, were captured, and these they turned to use 
by taking advantage of the milk of the animals, 
and also by utilizing the fur for making felt, as 
well as tanning the hides for footwear. 

But one of the most important uses was in 
training them for work, and a wagon was built, 
which served in several trips into the interior. 

During the excursions they learned of the exist- 
ence of others who had been shipwrecked, and 
later discovered that one of the boats made in the 
early occupation of the island, and which was 
left by them in a large river, about ten miles to 
the south of their home, had been taken by some 
one, who had put different oars and a rope in the 
boat, which they discovered after it had been 
found. This, together with the finding of a r life- 
boat, companion to the one in which they were 
wrecked, was sufficient evidence that some of their 
fellow-voyagers were on the island, and this was 
confirmed when a message was found in the life- 
boat, which stated that certain ones were captured 
by the savages. 

Before they had an opportunity of making any 
exploring trips, the boys discovered a mysterious 
cavern, not far from their home, and this was 
explored, with the Professor, and they were star- 
tled to find the skeletons of a number of pirates 
who had inhabited the cave, and the position of 
the skeletons, and the weapons, showed conclu- 
sively that the entire band had been wiped out in 
a terrific fight. 

In the caverns also were found the skeletons 


14 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


of chained captives, the existence of a regular ar- 
senal of weapons, and an immense hoard of treas- 
ures, which had been hidden within the recesses of 
the cave, for centuries. 

Many mysterious things occurred to them, too 
long to relate, but all of them bearing on the 
things which interested them, and the first seri- 
ous attempt to discover the savages, was to build 
a boat twenty feet long, equipped with a sail, and 
with this, and an ample supply of provisions on 
board, the course was directed to the northwest, 
and along the western coast. 

During the three days’ cruise, the weather was 
fair, but on the fourth day a terrible storm came 
up and drove them back around the northern point 
of land, and in the height of the storm they were 
east ashore, and their boat wrecked, fully seventy 
miles from their home. 

Just before being driven back by the storm, they 
had the first view of lights, which showed the loca- 
tion of the savages. They laboriously made their 
way home, and on returning found John, one of 
the present party, who suffered loss of memory, 
and had also an attack of aphasia, or inability 
to speak. 

His full name was John L. Varney, and for two 
months did not utter a word, nor did he seem to 
recognize the existence of those around him. 
Singularly enough, he was a first-class mechanic, 
and during hunting trips showed himself to 
be expert, as well as in fishing, and did anything 
and everything which he had seen others en- 
gage in. 


FIGHT AT THE SAVAGES’ CAMP 15 


Together with J ohn, the Professor and the two 
boys built a first-class wagon, and -undertook a 
trip in the direction of the savages. In the mean- 
time they made several guns, so that they had ten 
muzzle-loaders, which, while they took time to 
reload, were better than bows and arrows, that the 
boys had formerly made and used. 

Several months after landing they captured a 
baby orang-outan. This had now grown to be 
strong and active, and as these animals have great 
imitative qualities, George undertook to educate 
it to do many things, and it succeeded, on its own 
initiative, in doing many mischievous tricks, 
which afforded amusement for all the party. 

He was called Red Angel, or more commonly 
Angel, and as he had a wonderful instinct for 
scenting danger, was always taken on trips, and 
was with them on the first extended tour made 
with the new wagon. During that trip the two 
boys, Ralph Wharton and Tom Chambers, were 
rescued from the savages, and it was found that 
both boys were companions on the ill-fated Inves- 
tigator , and were captured by several tribes of 
natives, after they had been on the island over 
nine months. 

During this trip they had a half dozen fights 
with the natives, which so depleted their stock of 
ammunition that it compelled their retreat, and 
finally returned, with determination to manufac- 
ture a new lot of guns, and lay in an ample supply 
of ammunition. 

After their return John’s memory was restored, 
and he related his wonderful history, and together 


16 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


the six set to work preparing the new equipment. 
This comprised twenty-five guns and two hundred 
and fifty rounds of ammunition. The wagon car- 
ried with it a portable fort which could be set up 
on one side of the wagon to protect the team of 
yaks, as well as themselves, and it was also so 
made as to serve as a float for enabling them to 
cross streams. 

The particular reason for the present trip was 
not revenge, but to rescue the other boatload of 
their companions, and also some of the compan- 
ions of John, who must be somewhere in the inte- 
rior, unless sacrificed by the natives. 

They were now on this trip, and had gone about 
twenty miles from home, and after crossing 
the South River, the day before, set out in the 
direction of the savages’ village, which lay to the 
southwest. 

Early in the morning of the day, after discover- 
ing a half dozen savages encamped less than a 
half mile away, it was determined to surprise and 
capture them, so as to afford a means whereby 
they might treat with the inhabitants. 

While in the act of surrounding their camp, 
John discovered a band approaching from the 
southwest, so that he was compelled to notify the 
others of the danger, and Ralph was sent back 
hurriedly with the warning, as related. 

As they approached the Professor, the latter 
held up a warning hand, and whispered: “I do 
not think John and George will be able to make 
their way back by the left, as the new band has 
just come in, and they are now all together, so 


FIGHT AT THE SAVAGES’ CAMP 17 


that if you will remain here I will go to the right. 
Await my coming, unless there should be firing, 
in which event go back to the wagon and prepare 
it to receive us.” 

Before he had taken a step a shot rang out, and 
the Professor continued: “Go at once and get 
the wagon ready.” 

The boys rushed back, and informed Harry, and 
the wagon was at once turned around into an ad- 
vantageous position, the yaks unyoked, and the 
portable fort taken from the wagon and set up in 
position. The place selected was in the open, so 
as to compel the savages to travel over the open 
spaces before reaching the wagon. 

In the meantime, let us see what John and 
George were doing. When John told Ralph to 
inform the others, he had seen the newly arriving 
warriors coming up slowly from the southwest, 
and as George had already gone on to take up 
his position to his left, he followed after him, and 
as he caught up, said: 

“We cannot carry out our movement, as a num- 
ber of savages are now coming up, and I have 
sent Ralph to warn the others. We must now 
make our way around the camp to the north, and 
then strike east. Move as quietly as possible, and 
follow me.” 

Before they had gone three hundred feet, John 
held up a warning hand. “There is another lot 
of them coming from the northwest. What does 
all this mean!” 

Their only salvation now was to move directly 


18 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


to the west, and this took them just the opposite 
direction from the wagon. 

When the Professor left the boys he moved cau- 
tiously to the northwest, and before he had gone 
far saw the savages approaching from that quar- 
ter. As the band which John had advised them 
about, was coming in from the southwest, he was, 
for a time, mystified, but soon reached the con- 
clusion that it must be a force not noticed by 
John, so he circled to the north, in wonder why 
John or George should have used the gun which 
they had just heard. 

When George and John moved to the west, the 
band which they originally sighted, arrived in 
sight of the camp, and they at once changed the 
course to the south, and thus enabled them to make 
their way back to the wagon in that direction ; but 
before the trail was reached, John said: “We 
must approach the trail cautiously, as there may 
be stragglers, or some who are following behind.” 

At that instant, two warriors crossed the path 
directly ahead of them, the brush being so close 
at this point that they could not see fifty feet 
ahead. The savages saw them instantly, and 
John held up his hand, as though to speak, but 
they did not wait to parley, and as one of them 
raised his spear to throw it, the other fitted an ar- 
row to his bow, but before the spear left the 
native’s hand, George drew his gun and fired. 

The other savage did not wait to shoot, as he 
saw his companion fall, but bounded forward, in 
the direction of the camp. The shot, of course, 
aroused the entire camp, and it also accelerated 


FIGHT AT THE SAVAGES' CAMP 19 


the movement of the tribe approaching from the 
northwest. 

“Follow me quickly,” whispered John. “Let us 
go south, and then make our way east.” 

In a short space of time the savages were at 
the scene of the shooting, and, as they had no 
means of knowing in which direction their enemies 
had gone, began the process of trailing. This 
was, necessarily, slow work, and it gave John and 
George time to make their way by a wide detour 
around to the wagon, to find that only Harry was 
there, but gratified to think that the precaution 
had been taken to erect the fort. 

“Remain here, George, while I go forward to 
the Professor.” As he said this he darted for- 
ward, and soon reached the position of Ralph and 
Tom, and the latter at once informed him of the 
direction the Professor had taken. 

“Too bad, I am afraid he has fallen into the 
hands of the band which has just come in from 
the northwest.” 

This was, indeed, surprising news for the hoys, 
but he did not wait for their comments. 

“Do not wait for us long, but go back to the 
wagon. I do not intend to come back until I get 
the Professor,” and he was away. 

“I do not understand what -to make of the dif- 
ferent forces all concentrating at this point. 
There must be something up, sure.” 

John followed the direction the Professor had 
taken, making a wide detour to the north, and it 
was well he did so, as the savages, having lost the 
trail, were now in consternation at the condition 
of things. They knew the white men must be lurk- 


20 CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 

in g somewhere near, but the direction was a mys- 
tery. 

The search was continued by John for over a 
quarter of an hour, when a shot rang out in the 
direction of the wagon, and as he turned to go 
back, was gratified to see the Professor several 
hundred feet away, waving to him, and together- 
they started for the wagon. 

When Ralph and Tom returned to the wagon 
and reported the situation, they were all in great 
excitement. They had no doubt but the savages 
would, sooner or later, discover the trail left by 
John and George, and this would lead to the 
wagon. In this they were not mistaken, for while 
it took some time to trace out the tracks made 
by them, they soon reached the wagon, and, in 
fact, entered the clearing before they had an idea 
they were so near the whites. 

Harry showed himself above the top of the fort, 
and the savages, unused at the sight of such a 
spectacle, stood in amazement. He held up his 
hand, as several of the savages fitted arrows to 
their bows, as a signal not to fight, and they with- 
drew a short distance in consultation. 

“If they only knew it, we could plug them with- 
out any difficulty at this distance,” remarked 
Harry. “What do you suppose they will attempt 
to do?” 

“I only wish the Professor and John were here,” 
answered George. 

“They are going to fight, that is sure,” observed 
Ralph. 

“Let’s make a big show, anyway,” cried Harry. 
“Put a gun through each one of the portholes.” 


FIGHT AT THE SAVAGES’ CAMP 21 


The fort had four portholes on each side, and a 
gun was thrust through each and balanced in posi- 
tion. 

It now appeared that an enveloping movement 
was taking place on the part of the savages. After 
disappearing, they could be seen at different quar- 
ters, as they again approached. 

Without a word of warning a shower of arrows 
came from all sides, and Harry cautioned them 
to be cool and shoot only when a distinctive mark 
could be seen. 

All was quiet within the fort, until Harry said : 
“See that chief near the large tree? I will make 
a try for him.” Carefully taking aim, he fired. 
This was the shot which John and the Professor 
heard. 

They did not wait for any explanations. “I 
hope the boys are safe,” the Professor remarked, 
as they hurried forward. 

“They are no doubt at the wagon. I advised 
them to go there and not wait for us.” 

“Do you suppose that shot means they have 
discovered the wagon?” 

“I have no doubt of it. They would be very 
stupid, indeed, not to be able to trace us, and that 
was the reason I admonished them to go to the 
wagon.” 

As they approached the savages could be seen 
skulking about to surround the wagon. “Well, 
Professor, I suppose we shall have to give them a 
little surprise?” 

The Professor smiled, as they crawled up to 
get a close position. The tactics were now well 
understood by both, and that was to rush the 


22 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


wagon from all sides, and thus hope, by over- 
whelming numbers, to succeed. 

“The boys are pretty smart, after all,” said the 
Professor, as he noted the guns at the portholes, 
and John could hardly refrain from bursting out 
in laughter at the sight. 

At a signal the savages sprang forward, and 
there was a volley from the fort. “Brave boys,” 
exclaimed John. “Shall we take a hand?” 

“It would do me good to do so; but would it 
not be better to wait for the next movement on 
their part. That shot staggered them.” 

It was too apparent that the savages had not 
counted on such a disastrous result of the charge ; 
but they were determined now. As they were 
springing forward, and before those in the fort 
had delivered the second volley, the Professor 
quietly said: “I think we can risk it now.” 

Both fired at the same instant, and two of the 
warriors fell. The attack from the new quarter 
dumbfounded them. Neither John nor the Pro- 
fessor appeared in the opening, but reloaded as 
rapidly as possible, and while the boys were im- 
measurably surprised, kept their wits, and at the 
order of George, fired a second volley. 

This was too much for the natives, and they 
scampered from the vicinity of the wagon, and 
away from their lurking enemies. John and the 
Professor deliberately walked over the interven- 
ing space, as the boys cheered them. 

The result of the shots, for ten in all had been 
fired, were four dead and four wounded, two of 
them so severely that they were unable to move. 



“ When George reached the limb which Angel occupied , the 
latter was jubilant in his expressions of pleasure” 


[See p. 33] 





CHAPTER II 


THE RECONN OITERIN G SEAT IN THE TREE 

From the position of the wagon it was impossi- 
ble to see very far beyond the clearing, and they 
had no means of knowing how far the attacking 
party had gone. The first step of the Professor 
was to bring in the two severely wounded men,, 
and administer to them. 

One was found to be beyond hope, but the other 
did not appear to be struck in a vital spot. The 
other two, less severely wounded, were brought 
up and made comfortable outside of the fort, and 
so arranged that any attack of their enemies would 
bring them within line of the arrows. 

The proceeding to dress the wounds was looked 
at in astonishment by the three unfortunates. 
They did not expect such care from their enemies. 
It was not their way. As soon as they had been 
made comfortable, John proceeded to interrogate 
them, to the best of his ability. 

They could understand some words, and slowly 
the facts were brought out. In substance, the sav- 
ages had knowledge of the existence of the white 
people on the island, and had by some means 
learned the location. When the Professor and the 
boys landed the first home built was near the 
landing place, but it was unsuited to their needs, 
as fresh water was not obtainable. 

After some time they discovered a small stream, 
23 


24 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


which they eventually christened Cataract River, 
because they located their permanent home at a 
cataract about a quarter of a mile from the sea, 
and it was at this place that they put up the 
water wheel, and erected the workshop. 

From John’s interpretations of the captives’ 
stories, all the savage tribes were now aware of 
the existence of the colony, and of the fights which 
had taken place near West River, but there was 
not sufficient cohesion among the different tribes, 
to form a bond of unity, so that two of the most 
powerful, or warlike, tribes had finally joined 
hands, and this accounted for the appearance of 
the bands from two different sources. 

“I notice,” said the Professor, “that the head- 
dresses worn by these people are different from 
any that we have yet come into contact with. Do 
you think you could draw from them any infor- 
mation which would enable us to determine 
whether the Chief’s tribe has joined them?” 

“That is just what I have been trying to dis- 
cover,” replied John. “I endeavored to describe 
the tribe by the location, but, as you may have 
noticed, we do not get along very brilliantly. The 
two that George and I met this afternoon were 
from a tribe that I know of; but this fellow here 
belongs to an entirely different people.” 

The Professor turning to Harry said: “You 
will notice that the headdress of this one is simi- 
lar to those we took from the first one shot in 
the second day’s fight. Under the circumstances 
we have definite knowledge of at least five tribes.” 

“I will try to get some idea as to the number 


RECONNOITERING SEAT IN TREE 25 


they have,” and turning to the more intelligent 
of the two, he tried to make himself understood, 
but at best it was only indefinite, as to numbers. 

The characteristic feature of one of the head- 
dresses was the curly hair, and this indicated 
that the enemy of that tribe was to the west, 
and clearly pointed out that neither of the two 
bands attacking them were the captors of Ralph 
and Tom. 

“I am going to ask them the name of the tribe 
from which the hair was taken,” and pointing at 
the black curly hair, the captive pronounced the 
name “Tuolo.” This was instantly recognized by 
Tom, although he could not before that time recall 
the proper word. 

“He says the name of his tribe is ‘Kurabu,’ and 
those from the south are the ‘Saboros.’ It would 
be well to remember those names, as it may come 
in handy hereafter. I suppose Ralph and Tom 
will have no trouble in recognizing the Tuolos.” 

“For my part,” said Harry, “the people who 
sport the dark-brown hair in this fellows’ head- 
piece will be recognized by me from this time on, 
the Saboros, because they are the first ones who 
attacked us.” 

This was really the case, so that it was obvious 
that the two tribes who had attacked them were 
not the ones they had the former battles with, 
and things began to assume a very grave aspect. 

The chief referred to by John, in the former 
conversation, was wounded by them and captured 
in their former trip, and after his wounded legs 
had healed, had left them, and returned to his 


26 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


tribe, much to their regret. They had treated him 
handsomely, and grew to like him, as he showed 
many desirable traits. He belonged to the par- 
ticular faction which had captured John, and was 
recognized by him when memory returned, and 
they had hoped that he would not forget them. 

The serious aspect of the case was, that the 
Chief had not returned, nor was there any evi- 
dence that he was grateful for the interest which 
was taken in him. 

The captives were constantly under guard, and 
provided with food, but during the entire night 
three kept guard constantly, to see that they did 
not communicate with each other. 

The savages were entirely out of sight, and there 
was no indication that they were in the vicinity, 
and past midnight, John silently stole from the 
wagon and made his way across the clearing. He 
was absent more than an hour, until all began to 
be alarmed, but his return was so quiet that he 
was almost at the wagon before he was observed. 

“What have you learned ?” was the Professor’s 
eager question. 

“They are still guarding our camp, and intend 
to tight it out, if my observations are of any 
value. It is my opinion that they are waiting for 
the appearance of additional warriors. In any 
event, we must prepare for the fight of our lives.” 

Before morning came one of the wounded sav- 
ages died, thus leaving three still on their hands, 
and it began to be a problem what to do in this 
emergency. They now knew, undoubtedly, where 
the Cataract home was, and the boys worried be- 


RECONNOITERING SEAT IN TREE 27 


cause they did not want them to destroy that, and 
while the siege was in progress some of the band 
might go there and wreck it. 

“This is a situation which demands our most 
careful consideration, 1 ” said the Professor, 
gravely. “We have considerable at stake, and 
may be able to keep them interested here, and 
probably in time get them to understand what 
our intentions are.” 

J ohn and the Professor debated the matter dur- 
ing the entire night, except when John was on 
the scouting trip, and during such little snatches 
of sleep as they were able to take. There ap- 
peared to be nothing to do but to resist to the ut- 
most of their power, and all felt able to do this 
successfully, unless something unforeseen should 
intervene. 

When the gray light began to show in the east, 
George was busy preparing the morning meal, and 
it was fully eight o’clock before the savages 
showed themselves for the first time. They were 
seen on all sides of the wagon, but at distances out 
of gunshot range. 

John again had an interview with the captives, 
and endeavored to make them understand that 
they did not wish to attack them, and had no hos- 
tile intentions; but all efforts of that character 
were soon found to be fruitless. 

The day wore on, and no attack was made. 
They undoubtedly saw the disposition which had 
been made of the three captives, and this, unques- 
tionably, deterred them from making an attack. 

“What shall we do after to-morrow for water? 


28 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


We have only enough to last ns and the yaks for 
about twenty-four hours more,” asked Harry. 

“How far is it to the river?” asked George. 
The Professor and John both judged the distance 
to be less than a half mile. 

They all looked at each other, and read the im- 
port of the question in each other’s eyes. Should 
they make a fight to reach the river ? With water 
they could defy the natives. It was a conclusion 
reached after a great deal of speculation. 

When night came, and quiet again settled down, 
preparations were made for the transport of the 
wagon to the river. It was fortunate that the 
moon was not shining, but the night was clear, 
and this added some danger to the situation. At 
midnight, the yaks were unhitched, and the sec- 
tion nearest the forward end of the wagon pushed 
aside to permit them to pass through. 

When they were yoked up, two of the captives 
were tied to the seat on the tailboard, and the top 
covering of the wagon raised sufficiently to enable 
them to manipulate the guns. The fort sections 
were secured in place, and quietly the wagon went 
forward. 

They were as secure in the wagon as they had 
been in the fort, and the only danger was to the 
team, which might be struck by arrows, or they 
might be shrewd enough to aim at the animals, 
and thus prevent further progress. 

“I fear,” said John, “that we shall have diffi- 
culty in guiding the animals through the brush, 
and I will lead them.” 

This proposal was opposed by all, and he re- 


RECONNOITERING SEAT IN TREE 29 


luctantly consented to remain in the wagon. “I 
know,” answered Harry, “that I can see well 
enough to get us safely through, and it will be 
better to go slowly than to take such a big risk.” 

The march began, and to their surprise, it was 
not answered by a shout or a shot. The savages 
had disappeared entirely. But before they had 
proceeded a quarter of a mile, the shouts and an- 
swering cries of the savages could be plainly 
heard. 

“We have, unaccountably, gotten through their 
guard,” cried John, as he leaped from the wagon. 
“Follow me as fast as you can.” He sprang in 
front of the yaks to direct the way, and Harry 
urged the team forward as fast as the nature of 
the ground would permit, following closely on the 
heels of John. 

The demons were coming on now in earnest, and 
could not be far behind, and they must have gone 
fully a half mile, with no river in sight. Sud- 
denly John reappeared at the side of the wagon, 
and said: “Drive to the left for the open space. 
There is a brook there, and it will suit us just 
as well as the river.” 

The wagon was rushed to the open space, and 
down to the little stream which came from the 
southwest. Without hesitating a moment John 
ordered the fort sections to be replaced, and heed- 
ing the practice lessons which they had exercised 
over and over again, before starting out, they 
were prepared, in less than three minutes, for the 
foe. 

The besiegers again surrounded them, but evi- 


30 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


dently feared to attack. The first care of Harry 
was to provide the animals with fresh water. The 
two captives were again placed outside of the fort 
in a position where they could be easily guarded. 

While so disposing the prisoners, George picked 
up a trinket that had fallen from one of them, 
who tried to recover it. It was a blue stone, and 
he noticed that the other prisoner also carried a 
stone of the same character. Each had a groove 
midway between the ends, to receive the cord which 
held it in place. 

“What do you suppose they carry these things 
for?” asked George, as he exhibited the stone. 

“They use them to ward off evil. It is remark- 
able,” answered the Professor, “that the Hindoos 
consider the turquoise as a sure guard against 
sudden or violent death.” 

“That also reminds me,” said John, “that the 
belief is a common one throughout all Asiatic 
countries. Even at the present time almost all 
Russian officers wear the turquoise as a talisman 
against fate.” 

“What is meant by talisman?” 

“In all Oriental countries a figure cut in stone, 
metal, or any other material, and which, when 
made with particular ceremonies and under pecu- 
liar astrological circumstances, is supposed to pos- 
sess certain virtues, but chiefly that of averting- 
disease. Most savage tribes have some sort of 
charms or objects which are held in reverence, 
and the stone before you is a sample of this be- 
lief in the most remote parts of the world.” 

“What do you think he will do if I fail to give 


RECONNOITERING SEAT IN TREE 31 


it back to him? He made a fight for it when I 
picked it up.” 

“No doubt, he will think it is all over with him. 
We may be able to use the stone advantageously,” 
remarked John, as he held out his hand. George 
passed it to him with a smile. He had not thought 
of that. 

There was no sleep the rest of the night. The 
excitement was too intense. To the boys it was 
a period of experience they never forgot. The 
position was excellently chosen, although it was 
hurriedly done. The stream was only twenty 
feet away, and water was thus available whenever 
needed. 

The savages understood this move beyond ques- 
tion ; when the morning broke, the clear spaces up 
and down the stream, afforded no lurking places, 
and within ten feet of the end of the wagon was 
a tall juniper tree, the branches of which were 
within ten feet of the ground. 

Occasionally only could a warrior be seen, skulk- 
ing from one point to the next, but beyond that 
there was nothing to give any indication of the 
number they had to contend with. 

Nearly the entire forenoon passed without any 
action on the part of the besiegers. Angel had 
kept closely within the enclosure, but now he spied 
the juniper tree, and it was not long before his 
native instinct to climb, got the better of him, and 
he bounded over the side of the fort, and grace- 
fully swung upwardly from branch to branch. 

He then proceeded to do something that the 
boys had never witnessed before. These animals 


32 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


make seats from the boughs of the trees, and con- 
struct them so deftly that in a few moments will 
have a most comfortable chair. In their native 
state this has often been noticed by travelers. 

Angel started to do this as soon as he had 
landed at the highest point. Ralph and Tom were 
very much interested in him from the first and 
when the seat-weaving operation began, Tom cried 
out: “Watch Angel; what is he doing? Look at 
him breaking the branches and twisting them !” 

It was a curious sight to the other boys, as well. 



/. cflngels -beaU - 


- When the seat was ready, he settled himself in 
place, with all the ease imaginable. 

George, whose particular pet Angel had always 
been, jumped with delight. “Why wouldn’t that 
be a good place from which to watch the savages?” 

Without another word, he was over the side 
wall, after strapping the gun to his back, and the 
rough bark gave him sufficient hold to make his 
way upwardly toward Angel, who, in the mean- 
time, at the sight of George, began his peculiar 
chuckling sound that always indicated pleasure. 

When George reached the limb which Angel 
occupied the latter was jubilant in his expressions 
of pleasure ; and then the animal did another thing 


RECONNOITERING SEAT IN TREE 33 


which amused all of the watchers. The moment 
George had seated himself on the limb Angel left 
the seat and moved farther out. 

George kept on talking, and Angel again moved 
to the seat and sat down momentarily, and then 
left it as before, and this was repeated several 
times. The Professor called np : “Don’t yon see 
he is offering you his chair?” and all burst into 
laughter. 

George took the hint at once, and as soon as 
he was in position the action of Angel showed 
only too plainly that he was pleased at the ac- 
ceptance of the invitation, and proceeded imme- 
diately to build another seat. This gave George 
an opportunity to learn the method by which the 
animals intuitively acquire the well-known art, 
which is unique, even in the monkey tribe. 


CHAPTER III 


THE MIDNIGHT RETURN TO DEFEND CATARACT 

This little incident afforded only momentary 
relaxation to the tension caused by their surround- 
ings. 

• “What can you see?” asked John. 

“I can see them all,” he answered, “and they 
know it. I imagine Angel and his gun was a big 
surprise to them.” 

Some months previous to the start on this trip, 
Angel was seen practicing with an imaginary gun, 
darting to and fro, as though sighting and elud- 
ing enemies, as he had seen the boys do, and his 
antics were so amusing, that George made a gun, 
which was presented to him. 

Its possession was an infinite source of delight 
to him, and he was never without it in his hands, 
and the surprising thing was, it did not in any 
way interfere with his climbing of trees. To show 
how highly developed were his imitative qualities, 
it will be remembered that a number of extra 
guns were made, and when either went on a trip 
which was hazardous two guns were always taken 
along, one of which was strapped to the back. 

This was noticed by him, and he tried in sev- 
eral ways, which were perceived by George, to 
supply this deficiency in his gun equipment; so 
that a strap was given him, and fitted to the gun, 
and with the new arrangement of his weapon, he 
34 


MIDNIGHT RETURN 35 

would take off the gun and put it back again, and 
chuckle while doing it. 

When George climbed the tree his gun was 
strapped on, and Angel strapped on his, and as 
soon as the new seat was made, and George was 
ready to view the surroundings, he took the gun 
from his back, and Angel did likewise. 

This act, as afterwards learned from the sav- 
ages, had the most remarkable impression on 
them. They knew the orang, and all his ways, 
but here was one of them, possessed of a gun, and 
to all intents as able to use it as the white man 
beside him in the tree. Of course, they had no 
means of knowing that Angel’s gun was merely 
an imitation of the real article. 

“Count them, if you can. It will be interesting 
to know how many we are up against,” said Harry. 

George scanned the field to the southeast, so 
as to take in all those on the same side of the river 
on which they were encamped. “I can see forty- 
two. Now let us see how many are on the other 
side.” In a few moments he continued: “There 
are only thirty.” 

“Can you distinguish,” asked John, “whether 
all of the same tribe are on this side, or are the 
two peoples mixed up, some on one side, and some 
on the other!” 

“I shall have to study that for a little. They 
are hiding now, so it is difficult to get a good look. 
I have seen only three, so far, with distinctive 
clearness, to be able to judge, but I think the 
Kurabus are on our side of the stream.” 

“I am glad to know that,” continued John. “It 


36 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


is a good indication that they are not any too 
friendly with each other/’ Then, calling np to 
George, he added: “Be very particular to look 
up and down stream, and tell me if you see any 
crossing and recrossing.” 

The boys did not question John’s motives in 
giving George those injunctions. 

“Would there by any objection if I should go 
up the tree and stay with George*?” asked Ralph. 

“Not in the least,” answered the Professor, and 
John gave a smiling assent to the question. 

“While I am about it, I might as well take a 
rope along, so we can have a more easy way to 
get up.” 

“Splendid idea,” responded John, “and before 
you go let me make a sailor’s ladder, which you 
can loop over the first limb, and thus make an 
easy route for our scouts.” So saying, he neatly 
tied and knotted the rope, and Ralph leaped over 
the fort, and had no trouble in making his way to 
the first limb, and after he had secured the rope 
ladder, ascended to the limb which George and 
Angel occupied. 

The arrival of Ralph was another occasion for 
the peculiar chuckle on the part of Angel, and 
before Ralph arrived, Angel was otf his seat, and 
began the weaving act for an additional seat, and 
he worked so rapidly that by the time Ralph came 
up the seat was ready. 

George heartily welcomed Ralph. They were 
chums, just as Harry and Tom had grown to be 
particularly fond of each other. 


MIDNIGHT RETURN 


37 


It was now an easy matter to 
gain access to the tree; but John 
still facilitated this, when he sug- 
gested that the wagon be drawn 
over to the tree, and as the low 
top of the wagon was over eight 
feet high, there was no more trou- 
ble to ascend the tree than to get 
over the fort. 

As the day passed the watchers 
in the top kept a sharp lookout 
for signs of communication be- 
tween the tribes on the opposite 
sides of the river. 

One of the savages first wound- 
ed began to show alarming symp- 
toms and, as the Professor stated, 
there was every indication of 
blood poisoning, which was indi- 
cated by the high fever. Before 
evening the symptoms became 
more pronounced. 

The bullet wound was near the 
hip, and in making the examina- 
tion was found to be very much 
inflamed. George was present, 
and inquired: “What is it that 
causes the inflammation V 9 

“The local inflammation near 
the wound is produced by the tis- 
sues absorbing blood in excess, 
and the result is that the vessels 
containing the blood are so modi- 





38 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


fied as to permit an unusually large amount of the 
watery portion of the blood to pass through the 
walls of the veins and arteries. This entirely 
disorganizes the orderly manner of carrying out 
the function of the blood, and it is shown by the 
high fever and redness exhibited.” 

“Is that the same as blood poisoning!” 

“That is quite a different matter. This man 
has what is called septic fever, which is pro- 
duced by an infection of the system from bac- 
terial germs, which were produced by the wound, 
so that the blood carried the germs throughout 
the body, and produced what is called a toxic con- 
dition. Toxic means poison, or poisoned state. 
When the blood is thus affected it is unable to do 
its proper duty, and a high heat is produced 
within.” 

“But why is it that he has chills and then a 
fever?” 

“During the time that the fever is rising the 
heat produced exceeds the heat lost. If the rise 
is very rapid, as in this case, the blood is with- 
drawn from the skin, and this withdrawal dimin- 
ishes the loss of heat, which gives rise to a cold 
sensation or chill, and is combined, very fre- 
quently, with an attack of shivering.” 

It was not considered advisable for either of 
the boys to remain in the tree during the night, 
and as soon as it was dark Tom and Harry, who 
were then on watch, descended, and preparations 
were made for the night watch. 

Shortly after midnight, John took only one of 
the guns, and also selecting one of the bows, and 


MIDNIGHT RETURN 


39 


several arrows, from those which were taken from 
the wounded captives, started out on a tour of 
investigation. 

In an hour a series of shouts and cries dis- 
turbed the silent night. It was the cry of the 
warriors on the north side of the stream. 

Harry, who was one of the watchers with Tom, 
called to his companion : “Did yon hear that ? I 
wonder if John is in trouble?” The sounds were 
repeated, and finally reechoed by those on the 
south side of the river. Everything seemed to 
be confusion, and the sound of tramping feet in 
the distance became plain. 

The Professor was wakened, and the situation 
explained. “Hasn’t John returned? How long 
has he been away? Which direction did he take?” 
The questions were hurriedly asked, and when the 
boys stated that he had disappeared in the direc- 
tion that the sounds came from, the matter took 
on a very much more serious aspect. 

All crowded around the Professor, and pne sug- 
gestion after the other was made, first as to the 
cause of the uproar, and then as to the condition 
of John. 

“It is evident that the cause of the alarm comes 
through John, but how he has caused the difficulty, 
or what his motive is, I do not know. I cannot 
advise any of you to put yourselves in danger at 
this time.” 

The tumult increased, and it appeared that the 
sounds moved near to the stream north of their 
position. While thus speculating Harry noticed 
a movement close to the clearing and near the 


40 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


fringe, along the stream. It was some one stealth- 
ily crawling along, and coming toward the wagon. 

“Shall I fire?” asked Tom. The Professor held 
np a restraining hand. “Wait until we see what 
the object is.” 

Coming nearer, a savage was plainly seen with 
his distinctive headdress, and he was now within 
thirty feet of the wagon. The boys were shocked 
to see John’s gun strapped on the Avarrior’s shoul- 
der, as he carried a bow in one hand. A few 
feet farther and he stood up, and held up an out- 
stretched hand, and uttered the words: “Keep 
quiet.” 

It was John. 

The relief almost caused a shout; but they re- 
membered the injunction, and restrained them- 
selves. In a moment more he was in the wagon ; 
and the inevitable questions began. 

“Where had he gone ? What was the trouble in 
the camps ?” and many others of like import were 
hurled at him. 

“Let me tell the story in my own way,” he 
finally replied. “I had my reasons for believing 
that not the best fellowship existed between our 
besiegers, and that was the reason I asked George 
to keep a sharp lookout to see whether they inter- 
mingled during the day. 

“When I left the wagon I took with me the head- 
dress of the savage on the other side of the wagon, 
one of the Saboros, and also the bow and arrows. 
I approached the Kurabus on the other side, and 
after stalking one of their sentries, I shot him 
with the arrow, which also belonged to the same 


MIDNIGHT RETURN 


41 


tribe — the Saboros ; the shot merely disabled him 
temporarily, and he gave the alarm, as I knew 
he would. 

“I purposely dropped my headdress near his 
body, and seized his — the one I now have, together 
with his bow and arrows, and stole away. I re- 
mained in the near vicinity until the cries of 
the wounded man brought his friends, and there 
were the telltale Saboro arrow and headdress, and 
believing that the work was one of their confeder- 
ates on the other side of the river, the general 
alarm was given, which resulted in the first cries 
you heard. 

“I had just crossed the stream, when the first 
of the Saboros came up, and he was no doubt one 
of the scouts of their party. Taking the first ad- 
vantage, and before the main portion of the war- 
riors came up, I shot the one nearest me with 
the arrow I had taken from the Kurabus, and 
stunned him into insensibility as he fell, and I 
dragged his body up to within seventy-five feet 
of the wagon.” 

The boys looked admiringly at John. 

“They will have some time in explaining the 
mystery. One of the tribe on the other side was 
shot, and one of the savages on this side is miss- 
ing. Each will blame the other, and we may ex- 
pect some lively times in the mornirig.” 

John was right, for when morning broke, and 
before either of the boys could make his way to 
the treetop, there was an unusual commotion 
among the savages. Harry and Tom were up in 


42 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


the tree without a moment’s loss of time, and the 
uproar was apparent to them at once. 

“They are after each other. The Ivurabus are 
about to attack the Saboros. Shall we take a 
hand?” cried Tom. 

“By no means,” responded the Professor. “Let 
us know just what they are doing.” 

Those in the wagon could now see the Kurabus 
cross the stream. They were numerically 
stronger than the Saboros, and there was now an 
opportunity to witness the tactics of the savages. 

John could not resist the opportunity of going 
up into the tree to witness the combat. The at- 
tacking party skulked forward, after crossing, and 
dodged from tree to tree, and as fast as an ad- 
vance was made the smaller party retreated, and 
took up position in a strong line of bush, well 
within sight of the tree. 

A volley of arrows was the first signal for at- 
tack, and this was answered, the parties now be- 
ing close enough to enable them to do some exe- 
cution. The attacking party first scattered out in 
a line, and the Saboros immediately advanced 
with a rush, for the center of the position held by 
their enemies. 

“That was a shrewd move on the part of the 
Saboros. See the scattered fellows trying to get 
away.” They were plainly being driven toward 
the direction of the wagon, but before reaching 
the stream near the wagon, crossed, and the Sabo- 
ros now rushed after, attacking with their spears 
as they ran. 

The Kurabus retreated to the northeast, as they 


MIDNIGHT RETURN 


43 


were now cut off from going southwest along the 
line of the stream, and part of their force was 
plainly visible to the left and in the rear of the 
victorious party. Within an hour they saw the 
last of the pursuers disappearing to the north- 
east. 

This unexpected turn to the affairs, was re- 
ceived with jubilant shouts from those in the tree- 
top, when they announced the result of the tight. 

Just as they were descending, Ralph, who was 
the last to go down, cried out : “Wait, look to the 
south. More of them, and they are coming 
directly toward us.” 

John saw them, and returned to his position, 
calling out to those below: “Keep quiet, and do 
not respond to the attack. They belong to the 
defeated party. Undoubtedly, a part of their 
band.” 

The shouts of the boys, so incautiously given, 
startled the oncoming savages, and they stopped. 
From their position it was impossible to see the 
wagon, and they did not notice the watchers in 
the trees. 

After a moment’s halt they again came for- 
ward, and as they appeared at the clearing, 
caught sight of the peculiar fort structure in their 
way, and also saw the captives on the ground. 
For a moment there was consternation among 
them. 

“I can see thirty of them, and if they go around 
us they will come on the trail of the party to the 
north, and probably will discover what has hap- 
pened to them,” said John. 


44 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


They were now close enough to be within range 
of the guns. In fact, they were near enough to 
use their arrows effectively, if the whites had ex- 
posed themselves. The Professor raised himself 
above the fort, and motioned to them, in the hope 
that it would cause them to desist from any fur- 
ther attack. 

At the same time he pointed to the north, and 
at this motion, they drew back, and John reported 
that the band was making a circle around to the 
left. They had understood the motion, as it ap- 
peared, and, in accordance with the expectations 
of John and the Professor, the battle on the brink 
of the stream, and the discovery of the wounded, 
was sufficient to give them the information that 
their friends were being driven to the north by 
their late allies. 

The Kurabus quickly learned from their 
wounded friend, the status of the quarrel, and 
there was a long consultation, before any action 
was taken. 

“We do not seem to be making much headway in 
getting intimately acquainted with our friends on 
the island. We have only two things open to us. 
One is to proceed to the southwest, and meet the 
tribes living there, or to follow up the warring 
parties, and endeavor to establish relations with 
them in some manner,” was the Professor’s view 
of the situation. 

At this juncture John descended from the tree. 
“I am of the opinion that the newly arrived band 
will follow up and try to aid their friends. The 
serious thing to my mind is, the thought that as 


MIDNIGHT RETURN 


45 


they now know onr location at the Cataract, one 
or the other party will go there and destroy every- 
thing.” 

“Can yon make out enough from the fellows’ 
answers outside to assure yourself that they were 
on their way to attack us there?” 

“I am convinced of that,” answered John. 

“I think it is our duty to return there at once,” 
was the Professor’s reply. 

There was a unanimous assent to this proposal. 
It was now about ten o’clock, and George, in the 
treetop, called down: “They are going to the 
northeast.” 

“Just as I expected. Keep a watch on them un- 
til they disappear, and in the meantime let us get 
the wagon ready.” 

Tom descended to aid in the work, and the fort 
sections were put into place on the wagon, the 
yaks yoked on, and the two savages put aboard. 

“They have gone, and are after their friends as 
fast as they can travel,” said George, as he de- 
scended, and took the rope off the last limb. 

The team was directed due north, and it was 
a gratifying surprise to find that they were less 
than a quarter of a mile from the South River. 
The fort sections were applied at once, and with- 
out mishap the wagon was floated across, so that 
temporarily, at least, they were free from the 
savages. 


CHAPTER IV 


THE ATTACK ON CATAKACT 

“Now, let us drive through the forest and go di- 
rectly north until we come within sight of the sea, 
then follow that along to the east, and if there is 
a meeting between the two hostile parties it will 
delay the victorious side long enough to permit us 
to get there ahead of them.” 

This suggestion was considered a wise solution, 
as that route was well known to them, and it also 
kept them out of any possible path that the sav- 
ages might take to reach the Cataract house. 

“Drive them up as fast as possible, Harry. 
We cannot afford to consider the animals now.” 
John and Tom took up the lead to point out the 
most desirable trails, and it kept them both mov- 
ing at a lively rate. 

After they had gone about four miles, Ralph 
ran forward and insisted that he and George 
would take up the advance, and prevailed on 
John and Tom to take their places in the wagon. 
The distance chosen was farther than by a direct 
route to the northeast, but they could not afford 
to be again thrown into the paths of the conflict- 
ing tribes. 

The Cataract River was crossed, which they 
knew was about ten miles from the home at the 
Cataract, and after the yaks had rested a few mo- 
ments the flight was continued, and within an hour 
46 


THE ATTACK ON CATARACT 47 


and a half could see Observation Hill, and a little 
beyond the position was such that a more or less 
clear view could be obtained of the region directly 
south of the Cataract. 

Ralph, whose eyesight was particularly good, 
climbed a tree, in the most advantageous posi- 
tion, and surveyed the south and southeast. “I 
cannot see a sign of them anywhere in the direc- 
tion of South River.” 

“Then it is reasonably sure the last band has 
caught up, and they may possibly be having their 
argument to settle the supremacy,” responded 
John. 

But they still had several hours’ hard travel 
before them, because the country was now more 
hilly and difficult through which to move the 
wagon. As they approached near to their home 
the team was driven close to the sea, and at the 
first easy descent the yaks were urged down to 
the narrow beach which lined the shore for the 
last two miles of the journey. 

“Harry, you and Tom take charge of the team, 
and we will remain on the upland and follow 
along, so that we may watch for any signs of them 
coming across the hills.” 

The Professor’s injunction was followed with- 
out^ word. The traveling was good on the beach, 
and before long the team came to the mouth of 
the river, and, hiding behind the shelter of the 
hills, awaited the appearance of the rest of 
the party. 

As they came up John hurriedly said: “Let us 
cross the stream here, while we have the oppor- 


48 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


tunity, and we can approach the house in the shel- 
ter of the cliffs for a part of the way at least.” 

The raft sections were at once applied, and the 
entire party floated across, much relieved to find 
they were home before any signs were noticed of 
either attacking party. 

The cattle were still there, and everything about 
the premises showed that there had been no dis- 
turbance during the absence. 

“I suggest,” was John’s first proposal, “that we 
conceal the wagon, and take our places in the 
main house. This will give them the idea that we 
have not returned, and will put some of them, at 
least, within our power.” 

The wagon was run behind the shop, so they 
could not see it by any possible approach that 
might be made in attacking. 

Their home consisted of one main building, con- 
taining four rooms, adjoining the original struc- 
ture which had three smaller rooms. Distant from 
this, and less than fifty feet away was the shop 
and laboratory, adjoining the Cataract itself, and 
at one end of the shop was the sawmill. Below 
the shop was the rough building put up for the 
cattle, and adjoining this was a shed designated 
as the boathouse, and within which were the origi- 
nal boat they made, together with the lifeboat 
which was found on South River, and also the 
wrecked after part of their lifeboat. 

“If I could onty make the captive we have un- 
derstand the subject a little better, we might still 
be in a position to get on treaty terms with the 
devils, but he seems to be too dense to understand 


THE ATTACK ON CATARACT 49 



50 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


my meaning.” But nevertheless John worked 
with him hour after hour, and the savage was not 
now loth to make himself more agreeable. 

It was nearing five o’clock, and still no signs 
of either of the tribes. It might be possible they 
would not come, after all. A watch was kept up 
all night, two taking their turns every two hours, 
as all were tired from the two days’ exertions. 

Morning appeared, and still there was nothing 
to indicate the intention of the natives to visit 
them. John had discovered that the Saboros 
learned of their existence from a neighboring 
tribe, and had joined forces with the Kurabus, 
who were also contemplating an expedition against 
them. 

He also succeeded in drawing from him that the 
two tribes had not been on the best of terms, and 
was not surprised at the turn of affairs, and of 
course John did not explain the cause of the quar- 
rel and fight in the forest. All hoped the Saboros 
would win in the fight, as the ability of John and 
the savage to make each understood might be the 
means of making friends of them. 

Angel was in his glory again. He romped about 
careless and free. Enemies did not seem to trou- 
ble him. George almost hugged him, as he spoke 
of the hint which he had so opportunely given in 
climbing the tree. 

The Professor smiled at the remembrance, as 
he said : “That might be called the Tree of life’ in 
our case. It has been said that trees and wood 
saved the world twice.” 

“How?” asked several of the boys in concert.. 


THE ATTACK ON CATARACT 51 


“John Evelyn said, ‘Trees and woods have twice 
saved the world, first by the Ark, then by the cross ; 
making full amends for the evil fruit of the tree 
in Paradise, by that which was borne on the tree 
at Golgotha.' " 

The appointments of the house curiously inter- 
ested the savages, and they were the more aston- 
ished when the evening meal was set before them. 
Shortly after the meal the cocoanut-oil lamps were 
brought out by George, but their use was forbidden, 
as it would not be prudent to illuminate the place. 

When the savage saw the oil he was interested 
at once, and John, who was ever on the alert to 
notice any of his actions, quietly requested George 
to give him some of it. 

To the surprise of all, the savage put it on his 
face, and rubbed it in with considerable satisfac- 
tion. The boys looked at John inquiringly. “Does 
that surprise you?" he asked. “Do you know that 
savage is doing just what they were accustomed 
to do in Biblical times?" 

“Do you mean," asked Ralph, “that he was 
anointing himself?" 

“Not exactly that, but he was doing what started 
the custom of covering the body with oil?" 

“What was it done for originally?" 

“Simply as a matter of health and comfort. 
Many tribes and peoples, civilized, as well as those 
lower in the scale, acquired the habit, using oils 
of various kinds, which prevented insects from 
attacking them. There are many plants which 
contain oils obnoxious, and some which are deadly, 
to animal pests, hence they were by this means 


52 


CAPTUEE AND PURSUIT 


freed from vermin; and in tropical countries all 
kinds abound. 

“Later on the habit of anointing with oil took 
on a wider meaning. In a religious sense anyone 
consecrated with oil was set apart for a divine 
mission, and the more costly the oil the greater 
the degree of virtue imparted. Oil for the sanc- 
tuary was mixed with myrrh, cinnamon, calamus 
and cassia, as stated in Exodus, and, singularly, 
all these are obnoxious to insects.” 

It will be remembered that among other things 
which were found in their investigations was the 
clove tree, and from this an extract had been made. 
The Professor looked at the savage approvingly, 
and immediately went to the laboratory, bringing 
a small bottle of the extract, and adding a quan- 
tity to the oil. 

The savage was surprised and delighted at the 
perfume, and it was a proof beyond question, that 
he understood its use in the sense that John had 
explained. 

During the entire night a careful watch was 
again kept up, and all began to feel that their 
hurried retreat was an unnecessary precaution, 
but before the sun was up an hour, Harry, who 
was the early lookout, announced that they were 
in sight, and all hurriedly took positions, where 
they were concealed, and anxiously awaited their 
coming. 

“Can you make out which tribe is after us?” 
asked the Professor. 

“They are still too far off for me; possibly 
Ralph can distinguish them.” 


THE ATTACK ON CATARACT 53 


“No; but they look more like the Saboros.” 

“I am glad if that is the ease.” 

To the savages everything was quiet at the home 
and surroundings, and they came forward with 
rapid strides. “How many are there ?” continued 
the Professor. 

“About fifty.” 

“Then they cannot be the Saboros?” 

“Why do you think so?” asked George. 

“If you recall, there were only forty-two of the 
Kurabus before we made the hurried retreat to 
the little stream, and there were but thirty of the 
Saboros; and as the former were reinforced by 
thirty more, it is obvious they have been victori- 
ous, and have lost some of their men in the fight, if 
one really took place.” 

This seemed to be a reasonable conclusion, and 
it meant a fight without further parleying, so the 
party made arrangements accordingly. 

The guns and ammunition were placed in reach, 
and were in condition, in the event the present 
store gave out, to make an additional supply; as 
they knew the shop could be easily guarded. 

They approached unsuspectingly, and before 
nearing the house had to cross an open space. 
The two captives were placed in position so they 
could see the enemy, for it was now plainly seen 
they were not the Saboros, as they had hoped. 
The savages’ eyes kindled, as they witnessed their 
enemies moving into the opening, and when they 
had come within one hundred and fifty feet John 
turned to the Professor, who gave the order to 
fire. 


54 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


The surprise and consternation depicted on 
their faces was beyond power to describe. Six 
fell at the volley, and the rush was instantly 
stopped. Three of them tried to rise, and their 
companions assisted them to the rear, carrying 
them along, in the rush to escape a further on- 
slaught. 

But the Professor and John had no desire to 
shed blood needlessly. The boys were not so con- 
siderate. The two captives were in the height of 
ecstasy at the sight. Before the attacking party 
had time to proceed far, the Professor emerged 
from the door, and with a raised hand beckoned 
to them ; but his acts were not understood, or they 
purposely refused to consider the matter of en- 
tering into any terms. 

All of them took up position at a safe distance, 
leaving the three fallen ones, who were, evidently, 
beyond all earthly help. It was regrettable that 
such a stem lesson was necessary, but the action 
of the savages was in line with the attitude of the 
other tribe who had persistently refused any com- 
promises, either before or after the attacks. 

“Why are they so persistent in refusing to talk 
to us?” asked Harry. 

“We cannot understand the conditions under 
which these people have been conducting their 
warfares. It is obvious that neither regards the 
word of the other, and are ready at the first sign 
to open hostilities.” 

“It appears to me,” remarked John, “that our 
only remedy in this matter is, if we make any 
further attempt at the rescue of our companions, 


THE ATTACK ON CATARACT 55 


to invade their country, and give them to under- 
stand that unless they return such captives as 
they have, we will fight them to the bitter end. 
They seem to have no idea that we desire peace, 
rather than war.” 

The commotion among the warriors was now 
pronounced. The consultations were continuous, 
and they were not by any means harmonious. John 
took the two captives into consultation, in order 
to endeavor to find some means by which he could 
communicate through them with the besiegers. 

One of the warriors shot was still moving, and 
John, beckoning to Ralph and Harry, opened the 
door, and said : “If we can get the badly wounded 
one in here, we may be able to open up a door of 
communication, as the savages we have here are 
certainly acquainted with each other’s language.” 

They moved out to the open space, and the con- 
ferences of the savages beyond, instantly ceased. 
Without waiting for an examination he was lifted 
up and brought into the house, where the Profes- 
sor examined the wounds. 

Two shots had struck him, one through the 
groin, and the other in the arm. The Professor 
shook his head seriously. “I am afraid he is hope- 
less. It is a case of internal bleeding. Still it is 
our duty to aid him to the best of our ability. A 
wound in this place is not necessarily fatal, and 
the only danger is in the hemorrhages which, if 
unchecked, cause death.” 

“A bullet wound,” added J ohn, “is not as likely 
to be fatal as a knife wound.” 

The boys looked at John in surprise, and, no- 


56 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


ticing it, continued : “The remark may seem 
strange to yon, but when I referred to this I had 
reference only to the fear from hemorrhages, and 
my reason for saying so is, that in a rough or 
jagged wound the blood forms clots quicker than 
where there is a smooth cut ; and where the injury 
is internal, or where it is impossible to manually 
check the flow of blood, the natural process of re- 
pair in the human body, by the formation of coag- 
ulated blood, frequently stops the flow” 

“What is it that causes the blood to thicken at 
the wound?” 

“The moment blood ceases to flow, or is arrested 
at any point in the circulatory tracts, coagulation 
begins. It is for that reason the surgeon tightly 
binds the arm between the wound and the heart 
or checks the flow between the two points in the 
circulation. The cessation of movement immedi- 
ately begins to thicken the blood, and in case of 
poisons the venom cannot reach the heart, and in 
wounds the tendency is to close up the ruptured 
veins or arteries.” 

“I have noticed that when the hand is wounded 
the blood will soon get thick and stop to flow, and 
I suppose when it gets to the air the same thing 
happens to prevent a continual flow?” 

“Yes; it is nature’s way of protecting in cases 
of injury.” 

“Judging from the direction of the wound, the 
bullet has struck the spinal column,” continued the 
Professor. 

“That is the view I took after seeing the 
wound,” responded John. “It was the only way 


THE ATTACK ON CATARACT 57 


I could account for his prostrated condition. A 
mere wound in the groin would not have made him 
so helpless.” 

“Do you think,” asked Tom, “that the bullet 
could have gone into the backbone V 9 

“If such had been the case he would, in all prob- 
ability, be dead by this time. A bullet of this 
size, striking the backbone, would be sufficient to 
cause partial paralysis, and if such is the case he 
will recover. The shock is sufficient to derange 
his system for a time.” 

The patient was made as comfortable as pos- 
sible, and in the course of two hours the Profes- 
sor announced that the symptoms showed a 
marked improvement. The besieging party was 
still on the watch. But no further attack was 
made. 

“There are many things which indicate to me 
a conflict of opinion among the attacking party,” 
remarked John. The boys crowded around him 
for an explanation. 

“I give this opinion for several reasons : Their 
continual altercations show that they have no 
unity of purpose, and during all this time they 
have done nothing to investigate our position, and 
determine the best methods of approaching us 
other than the open. To the right is the river, 
and to our left the cliff ridge. If they were in con- 
cord with each other, the first thing they would 
do would be to make a careful survey of our sur- 
roundings.” 


CHAPTER V 


TRYING TO ESTABLISH COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE 
NATIVES 

Notwithstanding the hostile tribe was in 
front of them to the south, the boys went around 
the place with perfect safety, as they knew their 
protecting guns were sufficient guarantees to pre- 
vent a close approach. 

What would the night bring forth! What steps 
would be taken by their enemies! All awaited 
anxiously the condition of the captive Kurabu. 
It was evident from the Saboro’ s expression that 
there was no love between the two. It is remark- 
able how soon the news of any event travels from 
one to the other. It seems to be an instinct. 

The wounded Saboro knew at the first attack, 
which the Kurabus made on his tribe at the stream, 
that some hostile act had been committed, which 
brought on the fight, although John had not in- 
formed him, and during the entire time the sav- 
age had been out of sight of the warring parties. 

John kept up his continual questioning with the 
Saboro, and made good progress during the day. 
Gradually some little sparks of common intelli- 
gence would appear, and the morning fight seemed 
to have a stimulating effect on him. He was not 
so reserved. It probably began to dawn on him 
that the intention of his captors was not hostile to 
the natives. 

“Harry, have you the picture of the boys, which 
58 


ESTABLISH COMMUNICATIONS 59 

you took from one of the other tribes!” asked 
John. 

Harry went to the shop and soon returned with 
it. Holding it before the Saboro, he tried to get 
him to understand that some of the boys were 
on the island, and inquired if he knew anything 
about them. 





Savage Headdress 

The moment his eyes caught the picture he 
started, and nodded his head affirmatively. John 
then pointed to the Kurabu and then to the boys 
in the picture, but at this he shook his head. This 
was sufficiently intelligent to inform them that the 
boys, if captives, were not in possession of either 
of the tribes. 

The Professor then produced one of the head- 
dresses which they had taken from one of the war- 


60 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


riors in the first day’s fight, two months before, 
and by the same sort of pantomimic language the 
Saboro nodded his head affirmatively. 

“We are getting along splendidly,” said John 
enthusiastically. “We know where the boys are, 
at least.” 

For the first time the Saboro addressed the 
Kurabu, who shook his head as he proceeded. 
What were they talking about? John arrested 
the attention of the Saboro, and drawing the pic- 
ture of a bearded man, showed it to him. The an- 
swer of the Saboro was a startling one as he held 
up three fingers. 

“I wish we could get him out to the boat- 
house, to see whether he recognizes the lifeboat.” 
This proposal of John told them the purpose of 
the inquiry in that direction. 

“Before doing that let us proceed with the in- 
quiry as far as we can, and, if possible, get the 
Saboro to inform his fellow captive that our mis- 
sion is to get the white men and the boys, and that 
we have no other object in view.” 

It was interesting to watch the eyes of the sav- 
ages as they sat at the evening meal. They were 
supplied with knives and forks, which they eyed 
curiously. 

“Do you suppose this is the first time they ever 
had an opportunity to use forks?” asked Tom, 
laughing. “I know the fellows who got us never 
used anything like that !” 

“They used knives to convey the food to the 
mouth, did they not?” queried the Professor. 

“Well, our limited acquaintance brought us only 


ESTABLISH COMMUNICATIONS 61 


among those who ate with the forks and knives 
which nature furnished them,” added Ralph. 

“When were forks first invented?” asked George, 
with a grin. 

“They were introduced into England early in 
the sixteenth century, hut were known in Italy 
before that time. Certain English writers, trav- 
eling in the south of Europe, wrote about the 
curious habit of using tiny little forks, and the 



new fad was adopted, and the custom was for 
each person to have his own knife and fork, which 
he always carried with him. The inns and public 
places did not serve these articles.” 

In the morning the savages were still there, but 
had moved over toward the river, and were ex- 
amining, in the distance, the water wheel. What 
a curiosity it must have been to them. Before 
leaving on their trip this had been drawn back 
from the water, so that the cataract was not turn- 
ing it. 

Harry, who was in the shop with Tom, in a spirit 


62 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


of mischief carried out the levers, used for the 
purpose, and pushed the wheel into place, and as 
it began to turn with the rushing waters, the en- 
tire tribe was set in commotion. Was this some 
new demon? 

The boys enjoyed the effect produced. “Let us 
hitch up the sawmill and give them an additional 
lesson in the arts of civilization.” 

The belt was attached, and as the saw began to 
reciprocate a piece of timber was put on the saw 
carriage and fed into the saw. The effect was 
startling to their audience, which was heightened 
when George opened the door of the house, and 
both boys rushed out to ascertain what the boys 
were doing. 

“What are you doing?” asked Tom. 

Harry and Ralph laughed in glee at the commo- 
tion, and John and the Professor joined in the 
sport, when they learned the object of the boys’ en- 
terprise. 

“We’re simply trying to entertain our visitors,” 
shouted Ralph, and the besiegers were simply at 
their wits’ ends to know what all the hilarity was 
about. 

Harry crawled up on the pile of lumber, and 
beckoned to the Kurabus, and invited them to come 
up ; but this did not seem to appeal to them. In the 
effort to get down, the pile fell, and his hand was 
caught beneath the corners of the rough boards 
and an ugly flesh wound resulted. 

The weather was very warm, and the two bodies, 
which were lying exposed since the early morning 
two days before, began decomposition, and the 


ESTABLISH COMMUNICATIONS 63- 


Professor suggested that from a sanitary point of 
view to say nothing of common humanity, the bod- 
ies should be buried as quickly as possible. 

The boys secured the picks and shovels, and as 
they were about to start, the Professor cried out : 
“Harry, you must not go under any circum- 
stances.” 

His manner of saying it and the peremptory 
tone in which it was uttered was a great surprise 
to the boys. The savages noticed them as they 
dug the graves, and reverently interred the two 
warriors. They watched in silence during the en- 
tire proceedings. 

During the course of the evening George said: 
“Why did you refuse to let Harry go with us to- 
day when we buried the two bodies V 9 

“It was merely a matter of precaution.” 

The boys looked at each other, wondering what 
he meant. The Professor noticed their looks of 
astonishment, and he continued: 

“Harry injured his hand this morning, and the 
interment of decaying human bodies is dangerous 
to anyone likely to come into contact in such 
a manner that the raw tissues or the blood get a 
taint of the putrefaction.” 

“Is it any more dangerous than to handle putre- 
fied bodies of animals V 9 

“There is nothing more poisonous to human be- 
ings than decayed human flesh. The dissection 
of human bodies is one of the most dangerous oc- 
cupations, for the reason that if the dissecting 
surgeon should cut himself with the dissecting 
knife, it is almost sure death. 


64 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


“This knowledge has been made use of in a most 
wonderful way. You may, probably, know that 
various serums are used in the form of injections 
in order to cure malignant diseases. The curious 
fact is, that the putrefied body of a rabbit, if in- 
jected into a live rabbit, will kill the rabbit, but 
no other species of animal ; and so the like, under 
those conditions, will destroy the like kind. 

“Taking advantage of this knowledge, the bac- 
teria of, say, diphtheria, is isolated — that is, sepa- 
rated from the matter in which it grows, and this 
is allowed to putrefy, and this serum, as it is 
called, when injected into a patient having diph- 
theria is virulent in its actions against the diph- 
theria in the blood of the sufferer, so that the 
germs of that disease are thereby destroyed.” 

The situation at the cataract was now a most 
peculiar one. How long would the attitude of the 
savages be kept up f It is true they were not suf- 
fering for food, as that was easily obtainable, the 
large herd of yaks being at their command, and 
the garden in easy reach. 

It was inconceivable that their enemies could 
hope to starve them into submission. The Pro- 
fessor and John pondered over the situation, and 
endeavored to explain the apathy of the Kurabus. 
Not a single hostile movement had been made after 
the first disastrous attack. 

“It seems to be idle to speculate on what their 
intentions are,” said John. “We cannot afford 
to be cooped up here, when we should be in the field 
making some effort to rescue those in danger.” 

“Why not make another attempt to get the two 


ESTABLISH COMMUNICATIONS 65 


fellows into conversation, and let them know, final- 
ly, what our purpose is,” was Harry’s sugges- 
tion. “If we fail, let us attack them, and show 
that we are masters of the situation.” 

“It is true that inaction on our part may be con- 
strued into weakness,” answered the Professor, 
“and Harry’s plan is certainly better than this 
sort of business.” 

John again took up the questioning with the Sa- 
boro, and told him in as simple a manner as pos- 
sible what to say to the Kurabu, and this informa- 
tion was imparted in detached sections for his easy 
comprehension. 

This process was repeated over and over, until 
they felt he was fully advised of the meaning of 
their plans, when John ventured to remark : “We 
might as well make a trial of the fellow, so if you 
can make a litter to put him on we will take him out 
and turn him over to his friends.” 

It required but a little labor to get this ready, 
and the boys, accompanied by John, carried him 
out and went forward toward the congregated sav- 
ages. They looked on this proceeding with aston- 
ishment. As the little group with the savage ap- 
proached the band retreated to a respectful dis- 
tance. 

John ordered the litter to be put down, and then 
by motions to the savages requested them to take 
him. Before leaving, the Professor had placed a 
bottle of the fever medicine on the litter, and after 
John and the boys returned to the house the band 
rushed up to their wounded comrade, and the first 


66 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


thing that attracted the attention of all was the 
bottle of medicine. 

They gathered aronnd the litter, and, no doubt, 
plied many questions. For a full half hour this 
continued, and then the litter was lifted and he 
was carried off. 

“Did you see the inscription I put on the lit- 
ter?” asked Harry. 

“No; what was it?” 



JTanu'6 Tnes^aae . on the Litter which the dawges cmldhtiead . 

7^19.6. 

“Friends in the northeast portion of the island 
ready to help you. Dated, Sunday, June 14, 
1912.” 

“Where did you get the date?” 

“Well that date is as good as any. We know 
it is about a year and a half after we landed here, 
and that will be pretty good notice if any of our 
boys get hold of it.” 

The Professor and John heard the conversation 
with amusement, and the former inquired : “What 
was your object in putting it ‘Sunday’ ?” 

“I thought that would be a good time to date a 
message of that kind.” 

All laughed at Harry’s smartness in thinking of 


ESTABLISH COMMUNICATIONS 67 


putting a message on the litter, as by that means it 
might fall into the way of some one in distress. 

John was especially amused and remarked: 
“Harry was absolutely right. I know it is Sunday 
to-day, and there is an invariable rule by which 
it can be proven, wherever you are, and whatever 
time you awaken, without ever asking the ques- 
tion of anyone.” 

This was certainly an interesting thing, and the 
boys crowded around John. “Let us know the 
method.” 

“What we all understand by Sunday is the Sab- 
bath, or day of rest. Among Christians their Sab- 
bath is on Sunday ; the Greeks have theirs on Mon- 
day; the Persians on Tuesday; the Assyrians on 
Wednesday; Egyptians on Thursday; the Turks 
on Friday; and the Jews on Saturday. With this 
understanding you may be sure to strike the right 
day in some particular creed. It is the only day 
of the week about which there is any question.” 

The besieging party was still in position as night 
fell, but when the sun rose in the morning they 
were nowhere in sight, and John, beckoning to 
Ralph, took their guns and set out on an explor- 
ing expedition to the southwest. They went eight 
miles in the direction of the falls, and failed to 
find more than the traces of the trail which they 
had left. 

It was a relief to learn this, as it now enabled 
them to perfect the plans for a more determined 
invasion of the country inhabited by their would- 
be enemies. 

Their wagon equipment was found satisfactory 


68 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


in every respect, and John suggested that it might 
he well to postpone the trip for a little time, in 
order that he might perfect the means of com- 
munication with the captive Saboro, and he set 
about diligently to perfect the talk. 

In some respects he was more intelligent than 
the chief who had escaped them five weeks before. 
He grasped the sign language more acutely, but 
he was not as adept at imparting the information 
to John. On the whole, however, this was not a 
disadvantage, but in less than a week he had 
learned some words which delighted him, and 
when he was able to move about, John took him 
to the workshop and showed the different things 
which were made, and was afterwards directed to 
the laboratory. 

His face became a ghastly sight when he saw 
the skeletons, and glanced in fear at the Profes- 
sor. Probably he inferred that he was reserved 
for that fate. It was a gruesome thing even for 
the savage that he was. It was a shock, coming 
as it did after the humane treatment he had re- 
ceived. 

The Professor and John looked at each other 
and smiled at his trepidity, and the former, taking 
up the bones of one who had a bullet-perforated 
skull, showed it to him, and thus sought to explain 
the manner of the death. 

For several days afterwards his eyes kept up 
their shifting glances, and he ever afterwards 
avoided the laboratory. As in the case of Chief, 
the workshop interested him, and he would sit for 


ESTABLISH COMMUNICATIONS 69 

hours before the turning water wheel and marvel 
at it. 

Unlike Chief, the firearms attracted him beyond 
measure. His eyes would be fixed on them when- 
ever they were within reach of his vision, and the 
antics of Angel amused him, as he strutted about 
with the imitation weapon. 

“It should be a part of his education to know 
that we are able to make these wonderful things, 
as it will impress him, and if he should take leave 
of us in the same unceremonious way that Chief 
did we will have the satisfaction of knowing that 
he will carry the wonderful stories to his people.” 
This was the Professor’s view of the matter, and 
all agreed and acted on the suggestion. 

Harry turned out some trinket for him, and 
presented a small mirror. This amused him, and 
he treasured the little metal balls, and Harry made 
some of them in his presence. During all this 
exhibition, the boys, as well as John, talked to 
him and explained the different objects in words. 

But there was grim determination now in the 
minds of all to make a trip which would land them 
in the heart of the savage country. The various 
wanderings had fitted them for the task. They 
knew their own power, and appreciated the weak- 
nesses of their enemies. 

It is true they had not, so far, an oppor- 
tunity to withstand a determined charge, and were 
not sure but the slightest success on the part of a 
large body of warriors might materially change 
the situation. 

John was particularly insistent. “You know 


70 


CAPTUEE AND PUESUIT 


what Kipling calls the ‘white man’s burden’ is 
imposed on us. We have a duty to not only rescue 
the white men, but to rescue the natives as well. 
We have a wonderful field here, if we are true to 
ourselves. We may not be any too wise in find- 
ing a way of reaching them successfully, but 
sooner or later our efforts must win.” 

The Professor and the boys applauded the posi- 
tion John had taken, and Harry, who was always 
an enthusiast in the matter of rescue work re- 
sponded : ‘‘Speaking for myself, and for the boys 
as well, we are with you to the end, whatever the 
result may be.” 


CHAPTER VI 


APPROACHING THE FIRST HOSTILE CAMP 

The only thing the boys really missed on the 
long journeys was the milk, and necessarily the 
butter. The yaks were a perfect feast for them. 
It was jolly fun to take care of them and milk 
the animals, and all took a hand in caring for the 
milk and churning the butter. 

It was the j oiliest, happiest community ever as- 
sociated, and it was also a trying one in many 
ways, but these difficulties only brought them 
closer together, and showed the beauty of mutual 
aid and comfort, and the pleasures that grew out 
of them became keener as the days passed. 

Each task appeared to be a pleasure ; there was 
no work too hard or exertion too difficult to per- 
form. Whether in preparing the food or making 
the ammunition, or the hunting or fishing, all 
seemed a part of the great work which John and 
the Professor had instilled in them. 

They realized that there was something for them 
to live for; that they were placed on the island 
for some great object; and that while the rescue 
of their friends was a solemn duty, the other 
“burden, : ” to try and conquer the savages for their 
own welfare, was a part of their life. 

Speaking of the subject one evening, the Pro- 
fessor observed : “Many people have a wrong im- 
pression of the divine injunction, that fit is better 
71 


72 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


to give than to receive/ This does not imply 
mere material things, but it goes far beyond that. 
A gift means nothing; it may be a pleasant re- 
miuder; but aside from that what is there which 
is really a service to either giver or receiver? 
The true giving is that which does not cost the 
giver anything. The great donor is he who can 
transfer to the recipient something which he 
could not otherwise gain. To teach a man how 
he can make two blades of grass grow where one 
grew before, or to impart the knowledge whereby 
a laborious task can be accomplished in an easier 
manner, or how the drudgery of life can be made 
a pleasant recreation, these are the great things 
of life, and are the greatest gifts in the power of. 
civilized men.” 

“It seems odd that it should be necessary to take 
a whole arsenal along with us for the purpose of 
trying to civilize the savages,” said George, laugh- 
ing. 

“Quite true,” answered John. “It has been said 
ihat England, the greatest civilizing force the 
world has ever known, sent her subjects to the 
shores of the foreign barbarians, with a Bible 
in one hand and a gun in the other. The Church 
and the fort seemed to be a necessary pair of in- 
struments, put up opposite each other on the same 
highway that led to the rescue of the savages.” 

“Well, in our case, we carry our fort with us,” 
and Tom laughed as he added: “But what are we 
going to do about the Bible?” 

The Professor smiled, as did the others: “If 
you carry out that injunction, giving and not re- 


APPROACHING FIRST HOSTILE CAMP 73 


ceiving, you are doing what the Bible teaches in 
essence.” 

They now had the two captives, one who was 
still unable to walk and the other rapidly improv- 
ing, and no doubt in a condition where he would 
be able to take care of himself within another 
week, and by that time the other would be so mate- 
rially improved as to lighten the care necessary in 
his case. 

Meanwhile every moment was put to the neces- 
sary preparations for the great self-imposed task, 
however critical it might be. The ammunition 
supply was doubled, and ten more gun barrels 
drilled out, accompanied with the stocks and fit- 
tings for the complete equipment. At odd hours 
the loom was in motion, making the crude sort of 
cloth that ramie fiber afforded; a load of cane 
was brought in and fifty pounds of sugar boiled 
down ready for use. 

The wagon was thoroughly overhauled, and a 
new yoke provided. Thus each day was filled with 
excitement growing out of the new impulse which 
had been implanted in them. 

The Saboro was learning rapidly, and his ef- 
forts to pronounce many of the words sounded 
generally like a severe case of stuttering, which 
was frequently amusing, and George, who had a 
faculty for affixing names, never referred to him 
except by the appellation of Mr. Stut. 

“Why isn’t that a good name,” ventured Tom, 
as the significance burst on him. From that time 
forward he was known as Stut. It was simply 
the boy habit of giving some name, even to some- 


74 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


body who had a much better one, and it was so 
easy to pronounce. 

“The other scalawag isn’t worth a name, as he 
is nothing but a chump. He hasn’t said a word 
since he has been having the pleasure of our com- 
pany,” added Harry. 

“Mr. Chump will suit him to a dot.” 

Stut, and Chump, and Angel. John and the Pro- 
fessor laughed heartily as the boys jollied and 
worked. It was a sample of part of the life in 
that little community. 

But the great day arrived. The wagon was 
loaded, and the merry party started out on the 
trail, not knowing what dangers lurked in their 
pathway. Every part of the forest to the west 
was a book to them. It had been traversed by 
the Professor and two of the boys on six different 
occasions, and three times John and the other two 
had trailed the different routes. 

They recalled how directions and objects had 
been enigmas to them when the first attempt was 
made and with what fear and trembling the dark, 
recesses of the woods filled them. It was entirely 
different on this occasion. They were strong, 
healthy, vigorous, and had been trained to wood- 
craft and hunting; were experts with the guns, 
and under the training of John and their previous 
engagements with the savages acquired a skill and 
confidence which only experience can teach. 

It would not be going far out of the way to 
note that John and the Professor were proud of 
the boys. It would not be possible for two to be 
more congenial than their association. It was a 


APPROACHING FIRST HOSTILE CAMP 75 


constant source of delightful conversation to talk 
about their boys. 

“After considering the matter for some time I 
am of the opinion that we should go directly west, 
after leaving the Cataract River, far enough to 
avoid the densest portion of the forest, which lies 
to the north of South River, and turn south about 
five miles east of West River,” remarked the Pro- 
fessor, as they were discussing the most available 
route. 

“But you forget, Professor, that will bring us 
down to the very place where we crossed the tribu- 
tary of the West River, and where we had our 
first meeting with the savages.” 

“That is exactly the reason why I made the sug- 
gestion. I also had another object in view. From 
Stut’s description that is the direction we should 
go to reach the tribe which has the boys.” 

Harry had forgotten this. 

John did not remember the trip referred to, as 
it was taken during the time when his memory 
was still in darkness; but he turned to the Pro- 
fessor: “Was that place about ten miles east or 
southeast of the Tuolos?” 

“Yes.” 

“Then, if we go directly south from that point 
we shall find the last tribe which captured me, and 
when we reach them I am sure there will be a wel- 
come for us.” 

In explanation of this it should be stated that 
John was captured the first time by a very bitter 
and vindictive set, from whom he escaped, only 
to be taken, during the progress of a battle, by the 


76 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


successful tribe, living to the west. The last tribe 
was named the Osagas, and when the Professor 
and the boys had the first fight it was with this 
tribe, and from them the Chief, named Uraso, 
was captured, and held a prisoner for a time. 

Uraso was with them long enough to become 
fairly familiar with the language, but John was 
able to talk with them, with some degree of in- 
telligence, as he had learned the rudimentary part 
of the language. Uraso’s return to the tribe was a 
sore disappointment, because it was hoped that he 
would serve as a link by which they could com- 
municate with the savages. 

The first night the encampment was on the bank 
of the upper portion of Cataract River, and they 
would leave its shore in the morning for a more 
southerly course. The complete equipment was 
not a heavy load, since all of them walked except 
the Professor and Chump ; the other captive, Stut, 
was allowed his liberty, because they felt that the 
direction of their route would bring them into a 
neighborhood which was remote from his tribe, 
and to reach his home it would be necessary to 
pass at least two of the hostile tribes. 

The second night they encamped in what might 
fairly be called the enemy’s country, as on one 
of the previous trips the first view of them was 
had not many miles to the south. Caution, there- 
fore, must be exercised, and the custom which had 
been established of setting regular watches was 
now resorted to. 

Angel was with them, as a matter of course. 
His aid was invaluable, and the joyful chuckles 


APPROACHING FIRST HOSTILE CAMP 77 


which he emitted, when the wagon first started 
on its journey, told his feelings too well for words. 

After the morning meal John and George took 
the advance. This was the signal for Angel to 
follow. He shambled along, and whenever oppor- 
tunity offered was in the trees, swinging along 
from one to the next, and keeping up the pace 
without any apparent effort. 

At intervals George would call to Angel to as- 
cend a high tree and look to the south. This, 
was now a familiar thing for him to do. He 
seemed to be proud of the faculty. George had 
on many occasions performed this scouting oper- 
ation, and Angel learned to know its meaning. 

Noon came before the tributary stream of the 
West River was reached. They hoped to encamp 
on its short for luncheon, but it was still an hour 
or more away. 

Before luncheon was over, Angel, in the highest 
treetop, began to descend with that well-known 
danger chatter, to which all had become accus- 
tomed. George ran to the tree and pointed to the 
south, and this was the signal for the repetition 
of his talk about the savages. 

Selecting the most accessible tree, George 
mounted it for thirty feet, accompanied by Angel, 
and, following the eyes of the animal, could dis- 
tinctly see moving objects directly to the south. 

“I can see them, way beyond the river,” he 
cried. “If I can distinguish anything I will let 
you know.” 

“Can it be possible the Osagas are there?” asked 
the Professor. 


78 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 



APPROACHING FIRST HOSTILE CAMP 79 


“They would be in that direction/’ answered 
John. 

“But I think we told you that it was near this 
place we had the fights with the tribes, where we 
accidentally got between the two factions.” 

“It is probable they were fighting with the same 
people that attacked the Osagas the last time, but 
it is my impression they were much farther to the 
east.” 

“Don’t you remember, Professor, that on the 
second day we saw a tribe different from those 
who attacked us before?” 

“That is what I was going to remark. The 
whole matter of their tribal warfares seems to be 
pretty much mixed up.” 

“Yes,” called down George, “there is quite a 
party, probably fifty or more — it is hard to tell at 
this distance.” 

“Do you see any huts?” asked John. 

After a pause, he answered: “No; nothing I can 
distinguish. It looks to me as though this is very 
near the place we had our first skirmish, and 
what seems peculiar is that when we were here be- 
fore something like huts were visible in that di- 
rection.” 

George was quiet for a time, when he contin- 
ued : “Do you remember that after we crossed the 
river we made our way somewhat to the west 
and ascended a hill that had large trees on it. I 
mean the place where we had the second day’s 
fight, when we started for the West River?” 

“That describes the place exactly. Can you see 


80 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


that? What we took for the villages was directly 
to the south of that point.” 

“There are no villages there now.” 

“How near that place are the people you see?” 

“Directly to the east, probably less than a mile.” 

“Then that is our objective point,” said John. 

The time for action had come. All was excite- 
ment, but it was one mixed with a determination 
which meant business. The wagon was put in mo- 
tion, and headed directly for the river. Before 
two o’clock the stream was crossed, and waiting 
only long enough to water the yaks, they were 
urged forward at a feverish speed. 

John, George and the Angel again went to the 
front. At frequent intervals Angel swung up 
into the treetops, and whenever an opportunity 
presented itself George was an observer from 
the same vantage points. 

« They were moving nearer and nearer to their ob- 
jects. It was nearly four o’clock when John called 
a halt, as he said: “We can now reach them in 
less than a half hour, and it is now merely a mat- 
ter for us to decide, whether we shall make our- 
selves known now or wait for the morning, when 
we have a full day before us. For my paft, we 
should camp, and we shall then be fresh for what- 
ever turns up to-morrow.” 

This was considered good advice, and the fort 
was erected at the side of a small rivulet where 
John had halted, and the cattle placed inside. 
Stut, to the surprise of all, lent a willing hand 
in the proceeding. 

John, after the fort had been erected, and the 


APPROACHING FIRST HOSTILE CAMP 81 

evening meal served, said: “This ground is fa- 
miliar to me. I have crossed and recrossed that 
stream back there many times, but not at this 
place. I can recall it because the water, if you 
noticed it, is quite reddish, or rather a reddish 
brown, due, no doubt, to the iron along the stream. 
It flows from the direction of the first tribe that 
captured me.” 

“It seems to me we should have some settled 
policy with respect to our manner of treating with 
these people. Judging from our past experience 
with them, we must be firm and aggressive.” 

“You are entirely right in that observation. 
Ho not let us show any hesitancy in approaching 
them. In my opinion a bold front will do more 
to make them respect us than any other course.” 

The night was clear, but the moon had not yet 
risen, and before nine John and George left the 
wagon on a scouting trip in the direction of the 
savages. The first mile was made at a rapid pace, 
but it became necessary to observe greater cau- 
tion. By thus making an early investigation some 
idea might be obtained of the number, and pos- 
sibly their designs. 

The matter which most interested them was to 
ascertain whether this was the location of their 
homes, or if they had to meet a party on the war- 
path. In the latter case the problem was a more 
difficult one to handle. It was also desirable to 
ascertain what tribe they had to deal with. 

The thing which early attracted John’s atten- 
tion was the absence of fires. “I do not like that 
symptom. If they are in the vicinity of their home 


82 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


there would be fires evident somewhere. They 
are also exceedingly quiet, which adds to the be- 
lief that this is a party on the way to attack some 
neighboring people.” 

The forward movement was made from shrub 
to tree, and from one bush to the next, until they 
were not five hundred feet from the camp, and 
at that distance the low sound of voices was dis- 
tinguishable. It is singular that they had not dis- 
turbed a single picket. 

“It will be safer for one alone to move through 
this brush, so remain here and keep a sharp look- 
out, while I go forward. Under no circumstances- 
must an alarm be made, and do not use the gun 
except in self-defense, and in such an event do 
not wait for me, but return to the wagon with all 
haste.” 

“ How long will you be gone?” asked George. 

“If I do not return in a half hour, you may be 
at liberty to go back.” 

“But suppose they capture you?” 

“If they get me you will know it.” 

“How?” 

“My gun will tell you that.” 

John cautiously moved forward so quietly that 
George did not hear his motions, and he could 
then appreciate the ability of such a woodsman 
to creep upon an enemy. 

As he approached the camp it became more ob- 
vious that they had to deal with a band of war- 
riors, and within less than two hundred feet of 
the main body he spied the first pickets. He knew 
the custom of the natives in this respect, as they 


APPBOACHING FIRST HOSTILE CAMP 83 


never scouted singly, so tliat he was not surprised 
to see two together. 

Cautiously moving away from them, to the left, 
he again approached in the direction of the center 
of the camp, and after making a narrow circle 
to be sure that no other pickets were in the imme- 
diate vicinity, carefully advanced to a point not 
one hundred feet from the outer circle. 

This gave him an opportunity to count the com- 
batants. They had no tents, and beyond the mum- 
bling sounds of the talkers, there was nothing to 
attract attention. There were no captives in 
sight, and only twice during the time he was in 
close view of the camp, did any warriors come in, 
or others go out. 

During this period, however, he had gained suf- 
ficient knowledge to ascertain that they had only 
four sets of pickets, and all of them disposed in 
the direction of the wagon, or to the northwest. 

This was certainly a curious thing, and some- 
thing he could not understand at the time. He 
debated the subject in his mind for some time, and 
then as quietly made his w T ay back to George. 

“That is the most peculiar way of picketing, to 
guard only one side of the camp. Let us go east- 
wardly and try to pick up some information from 
that quarter.” 

They worked their way through the brush for a 
quarter of a mile when John pointed to the south. 
“This is the direction to take. Guard the move- 
ment of every foot now, and stop the moment you 
see my hand go up.” 

The way now led up a perceptible elevation, 


84 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


which could not really be called a hill, but it was 
a slope, thickly wooded, and with considerably less 
underbrush than in the lower ground. The trees 
were not large, however, and the absence of the 
vegetation enabled them to see a much greater 
distance, and thus made the work easier, and en- 
abled a much more rapid pace. 


CHAPTER VII 

JOHN AND STUT RESCUING THREE CAPTIVES 

John stopped suddenly, and held up a hand, 
without saying a word. Then, slowly turning 
around, whispered: “Do you see the light be- 
yond ?” and he pointed to the southeast. 

“Yes; I see several. I wonder if that can be 
their village ?” 

“That explains the matter that troubled me, in 
one respect only — ah! I am satisfied now.” And 
George looked to the southwest in the direction 
indicated. 

“Do you see the river? It must flow near here. 
Let us go forward in the direction of the lights.” 

Their progress was stopped within three hun- 
dred feet by a stream which flowed southwest, and 
which must pass near where the savage camp was 
located. It was thus evident why the pickets were 
on the north and northwesterly side only. 

“How far off do you think those lights are?” 
asked George. 

“I estimate them at about three miles, probably 
more.” 

George recalled the first lights which they had 
seen beyond West River, the first time they made 
the trip to the west. The lights looked just like 
the ones now before them. 

“Can you make any estimate of the number in 
the camp?” 


85 


86 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


“I judge there are fully fifty there, as I saw 
four groups. The night is not clear enough to en- 
able me to make this statement positively, but 
there are not more than that.” 

“Would it not be well to go to the village ?” 

“That would not be as hazardous a task as the 
one we have just undertaken. It will mean swim- 
tning the river, and if you are prepared for that I 
am only too anxious to make the trip.” 

Before they had started a commotion was plain- 
ly heard in the camp to their right. 

“Do you think they have discovered our pres- 
ence?” asked George, breathlessly. 

John did not answer, but leaned forward and 
listened intently. He did not move for a full min- 
ute, while the din increased. 

“They seem to be fighting. It is possible they 
have been attacked, still I do not hear any of the 
usual cries which accompany their struggles.” 

Several lights now appeared in the camp. 

They waited in silence for ten minutes more, and 
John said: “Let us move nearer. I am anxious to 
know what all this means.” 

“Do you think those at the wagon can hear 
them ?” 

“Undoubtedly. They are nearer than we are. 
For that reason we should reach the wagon as 
soon as possible, and in doing so we can pass near 
their camp by making a slight detour. I am most 
anxious to know what the commotion means.” 

As the camp was neared, it was evident from 
the character of the noises that, instead of an 
attack, it was the arrival, as John interpreted it, 


RESCUING THREE CAPTIVES 87 


of reinforcements, or of a section of the band 
which had returned. 

The hilarity in the camp was made the more 
apparent as they drew nearer. “We need not have 
much fear of approaching now.” 

They did not require such care in treading the 
way along, as the excitement in the camp was such 
as to drown the noise of their footsteps. 

“I believe they have some captives. Look at 
the bunch of warriors to the right, and the strug- 
gle of the different ones to go near; their actions, 
and the dancing around that group, are suffi- 
cient to convince me that the new arrivals have 
just brought them in.” 

“Yes; I can see them,” exclaimed George in ex- 
citement. A fire was now being lit, and another, 
and finally the glowing lights were all around the 
group, and when the warriors stepped outside of 
the circle of fires three bound victims were plainly 
seen. 

“That method of confining their captives within 
a circle of fires is a common one with tw-o of the 
tribes here, one of them being the ones which first 
captured me. The Saboros, however, do not 
adopt that method.” 

“Look at the one nearest us. He doesn’t look 
like a native. John could not resist the impulse 
to move forward, but he did it with the greatest 
prudence, and as he returned, said : 

“You were correct. He is not a savage. That 
is, he seems to be different from the other two. 
Probably he is from some other tribe, and — ” 

The man referred to raised himself up, and 


88 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


turned his position; this brought his face into 
view. He was a bearded white man, and at the 
sight John could hardly restrain himself. 

“Let us return to the wagon at once.” 

When the wagon was reached they found the 
greatest excitement, and learned that the Pro- 
fessor had gone forward in order to ascertain 
whether the noise from the savage camp was in 
any way connected with John and George. 

While debating the subject the Professor reap- 
peared, to the relief of the party, and John re- 
counted their experiences, and the sighting of the 
village. 

“I felt assured,” said the Professor, “as I ap- 
proached the camp, that you could not have been 
taken, because not a shot had been fired, and it 
would be quite unlike you to be captured without 
giving us that warning signal.” 

“How near did you go to the camp?” 

“Within two hundred feet. I believe there are 
two white men among the captives.” 

Thus was new fuel added to the imaginations 
of the boys. It was, indeed, a mission of rescue. 
But the new arrivals added materially to the force 
in their front. 

“They must have fully a hundred men, judging 
from the hurried count made after we returned. 
I made out fifty before the lot with the captives 
came in.” 

John and the Professor conferred on the situa- 
tion, and made numerous suggestions as to their 
proper course. 

“The only objection I have to attempting a res- 


RESCUING THREE CAPTIVES 89 


cue to-night is that we shall bring down on us the 
enmity of the tribe. I had hoped we could show 
them by our actions that we were disposed to be 
friendly, and the rescue of the captives would be 
an act of hostility at the start.” 

“ I appreciate your views, Professor, but we are 
here, primarily, to rescue our people, and to-mor- 
row they will take them to their village, and the 
chances of recapture would be lessened. It occurs 
to me that a strong, bold front at this time will 
do more to instil fear than any other course.” 

“I agree with you in the main. It will be a 
hazardous undertaking, but whether it is or not 
should not deter us if we consider it the proper 
course to follow. Yes; let us make arrangements 
accordingly.” 

The news of this decision was hailed with de- 
light by the boys. Stut knew what was going on, 
and volunteered to accompany them. He knew 
the people before them. They were his deadly 
enemies. 

The boys had made a half dozen pistols to re- 
place those lost when the yaks ran away, about 
six months before. John removed Chump’s breech 
clout, took off his own clothing, and daubed the 
exposed part of his body with mud, and Stut, 
with an eye to business, which was very much to 
his liking, took the headdresses, and to the sur- 
prise of John, and amusement of the others, con- 
verted them into fairly good imitations of the 
clothing worn by the campers beyond. 

“Now,” said John, “we are about to attempt 
one of the most difficult feats, the recapture of 


90 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


prisoners. If possible, we want to do this without 
sacrificing life. Stut knows the savages beyond 
are his enemies, and we can count on his assist- 
ance. He and I will undertake the rescue. With 
our new suits we shall be able to approach and 
enter the camp, and I am counting on his ability 
to talk with them, to assist us very materially.” 

The boys now understood the plans, and were 
delighted, notwithstanding the seriousness of the 
undertaking. 

“The team will be in no danger,” remarked 
Harry, who feared that it would be incumbent on 
him to remain there inactive. “I want to take part 
in this, too.” 

The Professor and John both appreciated this 
appeal. “Most assuredly, you must be with us. 
The team can take care of itself, and besides, the 
warriors over there will have enough on their 
hands without caring for the team, if they give us 
any trouble,” was John’s comment. 

John carefully concealed two of the pistols, and 
selected a bow and some arrows, and Stut had a 
spear and his own bow. By the time the camp 
was reached the savages had settled down, and 
the fires began to dwindle. 

It was long past midnight before John began any 
movement. The boys wondered at the delay, but 
the Professor stated that the best time to make 
the attempt would be after sleep had overtaken 
them, and the chances of success would be much 
enhanced. 

Before John and Stut left, the former turned 
to the boys : “The Professor knows what to do in 


RESCUING THREE CAPTIVES 91 


any emergency. The only thing you have to do 
is to keep cool, and obey the orders of the Pro- 
fessor implicitly.” 

As they moved toward the camp they looked 
like two savages, and George said : “They look ex- 
actly like the fellows in the camp. That is an 
ingenious thing to do, and I hope for their suc- 
cess.” 

The tension on the part of the boys was beyond 
expression, as they watched the two move up 
slowly. When the outer circle of the camp was 
reached they were surprised to see John and 
Stut rise up boldly and make their way among 
the sleeping warriors. 

When they had reached the interior of the camp 
they halted. 

“What do you suppose they are doing ?” asked 
one of the boys. 

“Familiarizing themselves with the situation,” 
was the Professor’s response. 

“See them, they are lying down. What is that 
for?” 

“Probably one of the guards has noticed them.” 

“It looks to me as though all the guards are 
asleep.” 

“That is exactly the thing they are waiting for.” 

Occasionally there would be some guttural ex- 
clamations, on the part of the savages, and at no 
time was there complete silence. The waiting was 
the most trying part of the business. For over 
an hour the watchers sat silent, and there was 
scarcely a movement on the part of J ohn or Stut. 

The positions of both John and Stut were care- 


92 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


fully noted, so their movements could be traced. 
About three o’clock one of the guards arose and 
walked over to the place occupied by them, and, 
after a few words, which were plainly heard by 
the boys, although the language was not recog- 
nized, Stut arose, and took the place of the guard. 
Two others did likewise; and now there was an- 
other period of inaction. 

“They are now waiting until the last guards 
have gone to sleep, before taking the next step.” 

In less than an hour John was seen to rise from 
his position and slowly move toward Stut, and the 
quiet motions between the two showed that they 
were about ready to act. 

Continually during this trying watch the white 
man could be seen moving about uneasily. His 
head would be raised occasionally, as though lis- 
tening; but the three prisoners were bound to- 
gether by the feet, so that they were lying, as it 
were, in a circle. The four guards, two of which 
were John and Stut, sat around, all of them nod- 
ding. 

The moon, which had been out since midnight, 
made the motions of the actors plain enough for 
them to distinguish many things, but it was im- 
possible from the position of the boys to learn all 
that did occur. 

When the time for changing the guard took 
place, Stut was awake or placed himself in such 
a position that he was elected. He knew that 
being awake would be the signal for his selection. 
John, who was not more than ten feet away, also 


RESCUING THREE CAPTIVES 93 

awake, was picked by Stut, and the two thus re- 
lieved retired at once. 

Stut, knowing the language thoroughly, encour- 
aged the two remaining guards to continue their 
naps, while John, who was next to Stut, and near 
the head of the white man, after everything had 
again quieted down, began to attract the atten- 
tion of the captive. 

He finally turned his face to John, and the lat- 
ter held up a warning finger, which, for the mo- 
ment stunned him, but this was understood, as 
John stealthily drew out a knife. The man was 
bound with his hands behind him, and was lying 
on his side. 

After a few cautious movements he succeeded in 
drawing up the bound wrists close to the shoul- 
ders, thus bringing the cords near enough, so that 
John had an opportunity to sever them. This 
being done, there was quiet for a time. The man 
seized the knife which was pushed over, and with- 
out any waste of time, cut the cords which joined 
him to his captives. 

The two who were with him saw the act, and 
the white man held his fingers to his lips. They 
understood, but were considerably surprised to 
see Stut in the same act of sending a warning. 
The man pushed over the knife with his foot, and 
one of them, after considerable wriggling, secured 
it and instantly cut his companions’ cords. 

It was now but the work of a moment to free 
the other, and the three unbound captives lay 
there, while Stut pointed to John, in order to in- 
dicate that the two were associated. Stut acted 


94 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


like a trump in this emergency. He was at home 
in the proceedings, and had probably assisted in 
work of this kind before. 

John and Stut slowly rose, and signaled the 
captives to do so. To show how every feature of 
this business had been considered by John, it 
should be stated that instead of making an im- 
mediate rush for liberty, that event was delayed 
for an age, as the boys thought. 

The Professor enlightened the boys on this 
point. “If your limbs are held in one position 
for any length of time, they ‘go to sleep/ it is 
said. In other words, the positions of the limbs 
are usually such that the blood ceases to circu- 
late, and it becomes congested, producing a sort 
of paralysis, and in that condition the muscles and 
the nerves are affected. If they had tried to es- 
cape the moment the cords were cut this tempo- 
rary derangement might have prevented them 
from moving away rapidly. 

The captives arose, and the two guards were 
still oblivious of the situation. Stepping lightly 
along between the sleeping warriors John and 
Stut at first led the way, followed as quietly by 
the captives, and when clear of the guard John 
and Stut allowed the captives to lead. 

Before they reached the last row of the sleep- 
ers, one of the guards awoke, and seeing no cap- 
tives there, and only a single guard at his side, 
arose suddenly, and his eyes fell on the retreat 
ing band. A terrific shriek followed, and with- 
out waiting a moment the three captives were 
urged forward, while John and Stut followed after 


RESCUING THREE CAPTIVES 95 

and began to shoot arrows toward the fleeing par- 
ties. 

They bounded forward in the joy of their free- 
dom, and the Professor and the boys could hardly 
restrain themselves at the success of the enter- 
prise. They made straight in the direction of the 
boys, and at the Professor’s suggestion they al- 
lowed them to pass alongside, not more than 
twenty feet away. 

After they had passed the Professor motioned 
to the boys to trail them, and after following the 
rescued ones for several hundred feet the Pro- 
fessor called out in a suppressed voice: “Wait, 
you need not go any farther. Keep quiet, we are 
your friends.” 

The white man grasped the nearest fellow and 
urged him to stop, and he did so, but the other 
continued on. 

Now let us observe the tactics followed by John. 
When the three captives were beyond the con- 
fines of the camp, and well on to the position oc- 
cupied by the Professor’s party, John knew the 
latter would be able to cope with the situation. 

Arresting Stut in the pursuing movement, he 
turned and held up his hand as a warning to the 
savages who were arming and following. In an 
instant Stut divined the trick, and, calling back, 
said that there was a large party of their attackers 
in front. 

This caused a decided halt in the rush of their 
followers. Taking advantage of this, the two 
moved forward in an apparently cautious manner 
until they had reached the place formerly occu- 


96 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


pied by the Professor, and then darting north, were 
soon in sight of the boys, who had charge of the 
man and one of the native captives. 

“Let ns go to the left to avoid them. In that way 
they will not discover the location of the wagon.” 

A detour was made, but it was done in as quiet 
a manner as possible, and both reached the Pro- 
fessor and his party before they got to the wagon. 

When the white captive heard the Professor’s 
words he stopped in surprise. Turning to see 
who had addressed him he rushed to grasp the 
Professor’s hand, and saw the boys approaching. 
“This is too good to be true. Who were the sav- 
ages that rescued us?” 

“We will let you know in time. We must now 
hurry forward. Your rescuers will come up in 
time.” And without waiting for further words 
the Professor led the way to the wagon, only to 
be met by John and Stut, as before stated. 

When the wagon was reached they saw the cap- 
tive which had gone on ahead skulking around 
the wagon, and Stut rushed forward talking ex- 
citedly as he followed him. The captive stood 
still while he went up and put his arms around 
him and led him forward. Stut was happy be- 
yond expression, and tried to explain the situa- 
tion to John. 


CHAPTER VIII 


THE RESCUED CHIEF MURO 

The white man came to the rescue, and began 
to explain that the late captive was a brother or 
a relative of Stut, and the moment he commenced 
speaking John went over to him, garbed as he 
was in savage costume, and said : 

“How do you do, Sam?” 

“The man drew back for a moment, at being 
thus addressed. “Don’t you recognize Varney ?” 

“John Varney, my old shipmate ! How did you 
get here?” 

“This, Professor, was my companion on the ship 
that sailed from San Francisco, Mr. Blakely. 
Where have you been all this time ?” 

“Hunting for you all over the island, when the 
savages permitted me to go around by myself.” 

Meanwhile Stut had taken his companion into 
the wagon, where he greeted Chump. A more 
happy set of savages could not be found than the 
group in the wagon, and the fortunate capture of 
John’s former companion also gave added joy to 
the entire party. 

This exploit, so neatly contrived, and success- 
fully executed, gave them a fighting force of ten, 
and with Chump, who, undoubtedly, would soon be 
able to assist, they had a very respectable array. 

“But we must be on the alert, as our enemies 
will try and hunt us up as soon as they find how 
97 


98 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


they have been tricked,” said John. Blakely was 
supplied with a gun, and Stut’s friends each pre- 
sented with a bow and a spear. 

The spears were not the savage-made variety, 
but were long, and of tough steel, the staffs being 
of shell-bark hickory, and the delight of the two 
warriors in handling the weapons was plainly 
shown in their actions. 

The force in their front numbered fully a hun- 
dred. They still had to be reckoned with. There 
was no evidence to the savages that the whites had 
anything to do with the rescue, and they believed 
that the Saboros had effected the release. 

“Well, if this isn’t an ingenious arrangement,” 
said Blakely, as he walked around and examined 
the fort. “You must have had an interesting time 
here. How long have you been on the island, Pro- 
fessor?” 

“Nearly fifteen months. You landed about the 
same time, judging from John’s story.” 

“I don’t want to interrupt,” said John, “but I 
have a little plan that should be carried out at 
once.” 

“Go on,” said the Professor. “After what you 
have done to-night everybody ought to be willing 
to listen to you.” 

“I have not yet had an opportunity to say that 
directly to the southeast of us, and not a half mile 
away, is a river. Bejmnd the river, probably three 
or four miles to the southeast, is a village, which, 
I take it, is the home of the tribe which has just 
been entertaining you,” and he looked at Blakely 
with a smile. 


THE RESCUED CHIEF MURO 99 


“If you are able to talk with Stut and his friends 
better than I can we might learn in what direc- 
tion their tribe is located, and if the village is 
between us and their friends, we might move our 
camp to-night to the other side of the river, and 
thus get between the village and the warriors.” 

Blakely listened intently, and replied: “I know 
where the Saboro village is ; we shall have to go 
directly south to reach them. The tribe from 
which you rescued us is called the Brabos. Some- 
where to the southeast of them are the Kurabus, 
the meanest devils of the lot, outside of the Tuolos 
on the western shore.” 

“Why Chump and his friends are Saboro s, so 
we have two hostile tribes before we can reach 
aid in that quarter. Do you know,” said John, 
continuing, “anything about the Osagasf’ 

He reflected a while, and then answered : “I am 
not so sure, but they are to the south and still 
farther to the west, but the route would be inac- 
cessible for the wagon from this point, on account 
of the immense forest which is in the way. I know 
something about that forest, as it sheltered me for 
the greater part of a year. 

“We have very many interesting things to talk 
about, but we must not delay the contemplated 
movement another moment.” 

The Professor gave the word of command, and 
the celerity with which the taking up of the fort 
and storing it away was accomplished was a de- 
light no less to the rescued warriors than it was to 
Blakely. The wagon was headed for the south- 
east, and John, beckoning to Stut and his relative, 


100 


CAPTUEE AND PUESUIT 


started out ahead. The other Saboro ran forward 
and begged to be allowed to accompany them, and 
John willingly assented. 

Directing the Saboros, by motioning, to scatter 
to the right and to the left of him, the four formed 
a guard for the wagon, and in their movement to 
the river the Saboros kept John in sight. 

“Fortunately this is not a deep stream, and we 
will not have difficulty in crossing,” said Blakely. 

“That doesn’t trouble us in the least,” answered 
Harry. “We use the fort sections as floats.” 

Blakely eyed Harry for a moment. “Do you 
mean that you ford the deepest streams with these 
cattle?” 

“Why we have forded the West River with this 
outfit several times ?” 

“What, the West River, New York?” 

Harry laughed: “I had forgotten; we call the 
big river to the west of us the West. And we 
have also the South and the Cataract rivers, way 
to the east of this.” 

Blakely looked at Harry in astonishment. The 
boys had cut poles under the Professor’s direc- 
tions, and were now trying the depth of the stream. 

“It’s all right,” cried out Ralph; “bring them 
along.” And Harry drove the team down and 
over the stream, and before they had gone a mile 
the first indications of the morning sun began to 
appear over the mountain tops to the east. 

“Move the wagon over to the right, and put up 
the fort the moment we find the camping spot,” 
was John’s injunction, as he and the Saboros 
plunged ahead in that direction. 


THE RESCUED CHIEF MURO 101 


John halted at a stream, and pointed out an ad- 
mirable place for the wagon. Again the process 
of erecting the fort was gone over, and the Sabo- 
ros witnessed the first installation of it. 

“Now, for some breakfast,” said George. “This 
work makes a fellow hungry.” Angel was at hand, 
as he always was at the preparation of the meal, 
and the Saboros watched the work, and particu- 
larly the part that Angel took, with eyes and 
mouths open. For the first time they had seen 
the orang doing duty at command. George saw 
their surprise and he kept Angel busy. 

It was just as interesting to Blakely. He could 
hardly credit the stories that Harry and Tom told 
him on the ride down to the river. Just imagine 
four boys, in all the exuberance of youth, telling 
about the home they had built up from absolutely 
nothing. How they had found simply the crude 
things about them, and had fashioned all the 
needed things for life from its primitive condition 
to one of perfection ; it was hardly believable. 

The poor Saboros were almost starved, and 
they looked it, too. Blakely had not been in cap- 
tivity very long on this occasion, so that he was 
not so emaciated. The savages, however, are 
able to withstand bodily privations for a long peri- 
od without becoming exhausted, but the food ob- 
tained at this early meal was one which they never 
forgot. 

As soon as the meal was over John signaled to 
Stut, and he in turn, motioning to his fellows, 
formed a picket line to the north in expectation 
of the savages ; but they did not return, and night 


102 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


set in without seeing them. George sent Angel 
to the treetop frequently for information, a pro- 
ceeding which was just as much a wonder to the 
two Saboros as his service in helping with the 
meal. 

Blakely could hardly contain himself, as he saw 
and heard the different things, and he particularly 
admired the wagon, declaring it was as strongly 



built as any he had ever seen. Without the wagon 
it would have been a foolhardy task for six men 
to boldly march into a country populated as the 
island was. 

“The romance of wheels is the most remarkable 
of anything in the history of the world. In na- 
ture there is nothing similar to it, so far as uses 
are concerned.” 

“Do you know,” asked George, “about the origin 
of the wheel?” 


THE EESCUED CHIEF MURO 103 


“Its invention dates back beyond the time when 
history began. When man saw the moon it looked 
to him like a wheel, and may have suggested the 
idea of a wheel on which things could be rolled. 
When we stop to consider the vast importance of 
the wheel it amazes us to see how it forms the 
prime element in every industry in the world. 
The wheel and the lever are the two greatest me- 
chanical elements in the universe.” 

During the night John and Stut made a trip 
toward the village, and was surprised to find a 
well-beaten path leading from the northwest to- 
ward the village, and that the wagon was located 
not two hundred feet to the east of the trail. 

The village was behind, or on the south side of 
a slight elevation, which was the reason why it 
was hidden from their view at the time they 
crossed the first river. John counted the huts, 
and found forty-two, of various sizes. 

Conferring with Stut, in order to ascertain the 
number in each, he calculated the village to con- 
tain not less than two hundred and fifty, which 
would not by any means contribute the number 
of warriors which were in the party. 

It was John’s idea, on returning to the wagon, 
to undertake the capture of the village, and he 
made the proposal at once. This seemed to be a 
wise plan, as it would put the women and children 
in their power, but Stut suddenly imparted the 
information that there was another village to the 
southwest, belonging to the same tribe, and this 
at once settled that plan, and it also answered the 
problem which bothered John. 


104 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


Blakely, who had acquired considerable ac- 
quaintance with that region and the various 
tribes, was in favor of capturing the village, but 
the Professor was insistent that there was no de- 
sire to shed blood unnecessarily, and that the trip 
was not for the purpose of revenge, and the tak- 
ing of the village, with the knowledge that the 
warriors might be reinforced by a great number, 
would mean war to the end. 

“In your wanderings/’ asked the Professor, 
“did you ever hear of any boys who were held 
in captivity by any of the natives V 9 

“Yes; a singular thing occurred about six 
months ago. I was then in the forest, and in my 
usual pilgrimage into the opening I stumbled on 
a band of one of the tribes to the east of the for- 
est. They were on the large river which flows 
along the eastern boundary of the woods. They 
had several captives, and when they left the river 
carried a boat with them across the country from 
the river. 

“The proceeding was one which I could not un- 
derstand at the time. I was taken, on three differ- 
ent occasions, twice by the same band. I escaped 
each time. The fourth time was four days ago, 
when the Brabos got me. I was in captivity near- 
ly three months with the Osagas, but they suffered 
a terrible defeat at the hands of the Tuolos, who 
live to the northwest.” 

“We had a severe fight with them on our last 
trip, and we rescued the two boys here from them,” 
remarked the Professor. 

“You were lucky to get away from them, as they 


THE RESCUED CHIEF MURO 105 


are the terrors of the island. But allow me to 
proceed. While with the Osagas I acquired their 
jargon, for it is little better than that. Some 
of the tribes have practically the same language, 
and I judge that they were under the same chiefs 
in earlier times. The language of two of the 
tribes, at least, seems to be different, and it is prob- 
able that this may account in a measure for the 
continual enmity between them, arising from their 
misunderstandings.” 

“I was captured by the Osagas, and regretted 
afterwards that I left them; but it is fortunate 
I did, as it was the means of taking me to the 
Professor and his friends,” remarked John. 

“But I started out to tell you about the trans- 
portation of the boat,” continued Blakely. “From 
the Osagas I learned that several boys had been 
captured with the boat, and that they were in 
turn taken from that tribe by the people who live 
to the east of the Kurabus.” 

“Do you know of anyone by the name of Wright 
or Walters!” 

“Yes; Wright was one of our crew. Don’t you 
remember him ! He was the one shot down when 
the master of the vessel first attempted to take 
possession. I may be mistaken, but I think Wal- 
ters was one of the men allied with the muti- 
neers.” 

“Won’t you tell us some of your experiences 
when the vessel struck the shore!” asked John. 

“Wright, who was with us when you left to go 
to the pantry to get some food, and also Champ- 
ney, all agreed that you had been washed over- 


106 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


board before the boat struck. When I recovered 
my senses, I found an indescribable mass of wreck- 
age all about me, and food was the first thing I 
searched for. 

“I found one of the guns, and later on a re- 
volver, but I had no ammunition except that in 
the weapons. Some few tins of provisions, and a 
crushed box of biscuits, all soaked with sea wa- 
ter, were all I could recover, and various articles 
of clothing, which I gathered together. 

“As soon as strength began to come back to me I 
searched the beach in both directions, and found 
four dead bodies, one being the mutinous master, 
who was lying near the shore, and all had their 
pockets drawn out. This was sufficient informa 
tion to assure me that some had been saved, but 
the rifling of the pockets of the unfortunates was 
something I could not understand, and I concluded 
that it was done by some of the devils who were 
on our vessel, or it had been the work of people 
on the island.” 

“I recovered from the blow,” said John, “and 
found myself lying by the side of the master, and 
found the pockets rifled, as you say, and I re- 
gained my senses before you did, as I now see.” 

“Yes; I recognized the footprints of several; 
faint traces only. I then followed the seacoast, 
in the hope or belief that if the island was inhab- 
ited, they would be near the coast. I traveled 
for miles, and then noting traces of people went 
inland, and the first tribe I ran across was the 
Tuolos. 

“I debated for hours whether or not to throw 


THE RESCUED CHIEF MURO 107 

myself into their hands. But a sight the third day 
decided me. A party was taking a captive to the 
sacrifice. Whether or not he was one of our com- 
panions I do not know. The sight so unnerved 
me that it did not occur to me that it might have 
been one of them. 

“I fled to the south, and struck the forest. 
There I found numerous wild beasts, and they 
were really my salvation for months, as I after- 
wards learned that the savages had never been 
known to go far into the dense portions. I found 
a recess or cove among the rocky sides of an ele- 
vation, which I converted into a home, and from 
that place I could see across the intervening coun- 
try to the large river. 

“It gave me a good scouting position, and I 
saw many tribes and parties pass and repass, 
some of them many miles off, and witnessed two 
battles between hostiles, but I do not know what 
tribes they were. I soon became expert in provid- 
ing food, as it was all I had to do. 

“I would frequently, in my scouting trips, go to 
the river, and began to tire of my isolation. I 
made that my home for nearly eight months. I 
really grew desperate from the monotonous life, 
and the feeling that I must undertake something 
hazardous if I ever expected to escape from the 
hunted life in the forest. 

“I still had four shots in the revolver, but the 
gun was useless without ammunition. But I 
took it with me, and the first day, after I crossed 
the river, I was surrounded by the 0 sagas. I was 
much more rugged than you see me now, and had 


108 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


a long beard. I tried to make friends with them, 
and succeeded in this pretty well, but they were 
attacked by the Brabos here, and treated most bar- 
barously during the week I was a captive. 

“One night I escaped and turned to my moun 
tain home, and again fell into the hands of a party 
on the warpath, but of an entirely new tribe. 
They took me way to the south, and I learned, in 
a way which could not be mistaken, that I was to 
be offered up as a sacrifice, and when the time 
came I was frenzied with desperation, and the mo- 
ment my arms and legs were free I seized the very 
club which was prepared for me and hewed my 
way through the warriors and gained my liberty. 

“But this is tiring you. Twice more I was cap- 
tured, and escaped once more, and the last time 
you came to the rescue.” 

The story was listened to with the utmost eager- 
ness. His tale, taken together with John’s and 
Ralph’s and Tom’s experiences, gave them the 
clue to the mystery of the lifeboat and two of the 
men mentioned in the note, but it did not lift 
the veil from the contents of the message. 

It was plain now where the Tuolos got the guns 
which they had, but could not use, as explained 
when Ralph and Tom were captured. 


CHAPTER IX 


MARCH TO THE SOUTH. THE MESSAGE TO THE SA- 
BORO TRIBE 

“Have you any suggestion to offer why the Bra- 
bos do not return f” asked the Professor. 

“I suppose,” said John, as he smiled at the re- 
membrance, “they are hunting for the two savages 
who took their prisoners.” 

A real council of war was now held, and the 
Professor gave his opinion as the wisest course 
to take. “We have, without question, put Stut 
and his friends under lasting obligations to us. 
From all the information obtainable, their tribe 
lives a considerable distance to the south, and to 
reach them we must pass the territory occupied 
by the Kurabus.” 

“We must remember, however,” interrupted 
Blakely, that they are in all probability, the most 
powerful of all the tribes.” 

“So I understand,” he answered; “and that is 
just what I am coming to. If we can advise Stut 
of our intentions, and induce him to make the trip 
through the country and inform his friends, we 
may be pretty sure of assistance from that quar- 
ter.” 

“I think the Professor is right in his diagnosis 
of the case. If we can get an ally, even though it 
may be the weakest tribe, it will give us a van- 
tage ground to work on ; and I further believe that 
109 


110 


CAPTUEE AND PUESUIT 


we can, by that means, consolidate the weakest 
of the tribes, and thus secure the mastery, and 
release those who are in captivity, by that means 
much quicker than by attempting it unaided.” 

The Professor’s views prevailed. It was now 
near noon, and no hostile party was in sight. 
The fort was stowed away, and the march to the 
southwest, to avoid the village, began. 

Stut was brought into conference, and between 
John and Blakely, he was informed that they 
were on their way to his people. At first his eyes 
kindled, and he beckoned to his brother, because 
this relationship had now been established be- 
tween them, and imparted the good news, and 
after a moment’s hesitation, their brows grew 
dark, and the party knew what that symptom 
meant. 

John grasped a gun, and pointed to it, and 
Blakely taking the hint, advised them that they 
need not fear the result of the undertaking. 
This seemed to satisfy them, and with a greatly 
altered countenance took up the work of scouting 
on the left side of the wagon. 

It was desirable to keep sufficiently far from 
the village to hide the movement of the wagon, 
and at the same time remain close enough so 
that they would not be brought into the vicinity 
of the other village to the south. 

Thus the march proceeded forward for fully 
two hours without an incident. Then John sig- 
naled a halt. He had reached the well-beaten 
trail or highway between the two villages, and 


MARCH TO THE SOUTH 111 

this must be patrolled in both directions before 
the wagon could be sent across. 

The necessity of this was apparent when it is 
understood that they were now in comparative 
open ground, and only an occasional tree was in 
sight. Stut ran in and pointed to the south, and 
John went forward, and was quickly enlightened 
at the sight. Coming up from the lower village 
were the warriors, reinforced by a considerable 
number. They were more than a mile away, and 
the order was given to erect the fort. 

Long before they came in the immediate vicin- 
ity they were ready to receive them, and the ut- 
most quiet was observed. The band passed with- 
out observing them, and as soon as they disap- 
peared at a safe distance, the fort was again re- 
installed on the wagon, and the hurried march 
recommenced. 

A considerable distance was covered before 
night, and they congratulated themselves on get- 
ting rid of the Brabos so easily. Camp was made 
for the night at a spring that flowed from the 
rocks alongside a hill, and which also afforded 
them protection for the night. 

Referring to the matter of his wanderings, 
Blakely, during the course of the evening, said, 
“The most trying thing I experienced, during all 
of my travels, were the winds about five months 
ago. For fully three days I could hardly move 
from place to place.” 

“That was during the period of the monsoons, 
and you will remember, it was a year after we 
had our terrible experience,” answered John. 


112 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


“I had forgotten that,” he replied. 

“I suppose then that they come regularly each 
year.” 

“They really come twice a year. In one period 
they blow in one direction and at the other period 
in the other direction.” 

“I also noticed that, and I presume we may 
expect the one from the southeast in another 
month.” 

“Quite true; but those from that direction are 
not so severe.” 

“I recall that they have the Siroccos in Italy, 
which blow across the Mediterranean, from the 
northern shores of Africa; and the simoons of 
Arabia are also terrific while they last.” 

“The most trying winds I ever experienced,” 
said the Professor, were the Kamsen winds of 
Egypt and the Harmattan which blow over Africa 
from the eastern side, owing to the heated atmos- 
phere. They are literally like ovens in their in- 
tensity.” 

“It is one fortunate thing about the winds here, 
they are not hot or stifling, especially not these 
which come in the autumn.” 

The hill to the back of them, and against which 
the wagon was placed, close to the precipitous 
rocks, afforded protection in that direction, so that 
the pickets were required for the exposed posi- 
tions only. Blakely took a hand in the watch 
during the night, and Stut, with his brother, in- 
sisted on doing double duty in that direction. 

The timber was thicker here than at any other 
place along the route since they had left the Bra- 


MARCH TO THE SOUTH 


113 


bos country. Hickory, oak, walnut, a species of 
ash, as well as Cyprus, were found in abundance 
as well as many varieties of valuable shrubs, rub- 
ber plants, and the like, and some of the most 
beautiful flowers, far exceeding those in the north- 
ern portion of the island. 

“It seems singular to me,” remarked Harry, 
during the course of the evening, “ that all the 
savages live in the southern and western portions 
of the Island. We happened to be cast ashore at 
the eastern end and remained there, while all the 
others seemed to reach the western part and thus 
came into contact with the savages without any 
trouble.” 

“They have found, by living here, that this part 
is the most desirable, from a climatic standpoint,” 
answered the Professor. “ The knowledge of the 
most suitable spots is one acquired by all peoples 
in the different countries. When the Spanish 
priests established the Missions on the Pacific 
coast, they found the villages located at certain 
points in the interior, and a study of the places so 
selected, showed remarkable knowledge.” 

“I found that condition of things in the remotest 
portions of Africa,” said John. “The most prim- 
itive inhabitants had the capacity to occupy loca- 
tions which could not be improved on by the 
knowledge of the white man. As the Professor 
says, all the Missions in California are located 
at such vantage points, which were usually the 
site of the Indian villages.” 

“In what respect were those locations better 
than others?” 


114 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


“The winds were usually a factor in deciding 
the places for the villages. This will be found 
particularly true on this island. The monsoons 
which blow the hardest in this region, as we all 
know, come from the north. The return winds 
come from the southeast. In the one case the 
trees and the elevations protect them from the 
north, and the mountain range affords shelter 
from the east.” 

Before morning a severe storm set in, and later 
was accompanied by a rainfall, which decided them 
to rest until it abated, so that it was past noon 
before the weather conditions were such as to en- 
able them to go forward. 

Chump’s wonderful constitution was bringing 
him around and healing his wound rapidly, and he 
was out of the wagon, and made short trips each 
day. His deportment had entirely changed. In- 
stead of being glum and morose, as was his habit 
earlier in the days of captivity, he began to exam- 
ine things with interest, and talked and laughed 
with his fellows. 

The remarkable one of the four Saboros was 
Stut’s brother. He was the most powerful of the 
lot, and by far the brightest, as he grasped ques- 
tions propounded by John and Blakely, with the 
utmost keenness. In physical proportions he was 
the equal of Chief. He was more voluble than 
either of the others, and judging from the man- 
ner in which he treated many of Angel’s antics, he 
must have been a wit in his tribe. 

One thing was noticed from the first, and that 
was the deference which the other three always 


MARCH TO THE SOUTH 


115 


accorded him. John was the first to notice this, 
and the observing eye of the Professor was also 
quick to detect it. 

“From the indications I am inclined to believe 
that Stut’s brother is more than the ordinary in- 
dividual in his tribe. I have noticed that in our 
scouting Stut never attempted to do anything 
until his brother was consulted.” And John re- 
lated many incidents of like character. 

“Suppose we endeavor to ascertain his posi- 
tion,” responded the Professoi. “It would not 
surprise me to learn that he is a chief, and if so 
it will be a strong factor.” 

John was quick to question Stut, and together 
with Blakely, it did not take long to satisfy them- 
selves on this point. When captured neither of 
them had sufficient clothing to show the rank to 
which they were entitled, and the certain knowl- 
edge that he was a man. of distinction in his tribe, 
was a most pleasing thing. 

George requested John to learn his name, and 
this was a matter easily ascertained. Indeed they 
might have known this earlier, were it not for the 
stirring scenes which they had passed through 
since the rescue, as Stut was heard to mention 
the name Muro on many occasions, but during 
these conversations it had never been associated 
with his name. 

He w T as, notwithstanding his size, exceedingly 
light of foot, and could throw a spear with great 
accuracy and to enormous distances. The heavy 
bows which they had were simply playthings, in 
his hands. The guns were the most fascinating 


116 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


things to him, and he was constantly questioning 
about them, and admiring the workmanship. 

When Stut pointed out Harry, and told him that 
he had made the guns, and in his language pic- 
tured out the wonderful workshops at the Cata- 
ract, he could not keep his eyes from him, and 
walking over to Harry put his arm around him, 
and patted him on the shoulder, and finally rubbed 
Harry’s nose with his own. 

The Professor instantly recognized this tribute, 
and said : “That is a sign that you are his eternal 
friend. You may depend on him to the extent of 
his own life. It is a way many savages have of 
indicating love and devotion.” 

Stut easily recognized the Professor as the. 
leader of the expedition, and walked over and per- 
formed the same rite with him, to the extreme 
gratification of all. It was not necessary for him 
to do more than he had in the past to show his 
affection for John. 

Gratitude, if earned, as it was in this case, is a 
tie which the savage regards as sacred. The Pro- 
fessor selected one of the guns, and presented it 
to Muro, and showed him how to fit in the cap 
and to load it, and this token was exhibited in a 
manner that could not be mistaken. 

Harry went to one of the lockers and brought 
forth small mirrors which had been made, and 
handed one to each of the warriors, and each 
thanked Harry in a voluble manner. The three 
warriors were then each invested with guns, but 
they knew that it would not be wise to do any 
practicing in that locality. 


MARCH TO THE SOUTH 


117 


Blakely, who had been an officer in the army 
years before, conceived the idea that it would be 
a good thing to practice drilling, and this caught 
the fancy of the boys, who ranged themselves in 
line, and with the guns went through an evolution 
of arms. All the boys had been taught this on 
shipboard as part of the regular routine, and the 
precision with which this was done excited the 
admiration of the Saboros. 

When John and the Professor also took up the 
guns and stood in line, the natives did likewise, 
and imitated every movement, with greater or less 
skill. The marching tactics were also shown, and 
they became willing and interested participants. 

“It is too bad,” said George, “ that we can’t have 
an exhibition of firing.” 

“We may get plenty of that later on,” answered 
John. 

They were instructed how to care for the guns, 
and the caps were purposely kept off, so they 
would not be accidentally fired. All this was done 
in preparation for the time when the services 
might be needed. 

“A fighting force of eleven, with guns and plenty 
of ammunition, is sufficient to lick the whole is- 
land, if we understand our business,” was 
Blakely’s comment, after viewing the brigade in 
his front. 

Thus, at each step, the success of the mission 
seemed assured. Allies had been secured on whom 
they could place confidence, and they started for- 
ward with an earnestness and a determination 
never before possessed. 


118 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


On the way were numerous springs, which 
formed rivulets of clear, cold water. The land- 
scape was beautiful in every direction. It could 
be readily understood why this was such an at- 
tractive portion of the island. The soil was a 
dark, rich loam, but scarcely a foot of it was tilled 
by the natives. 

Some of the tribes, as Blakely observed, 
planted a few vegetables, but aside from that the 
principal occupation was hunting game, and the 
more delectable occupation, on the part of some 
tribes, to capture their fellows, and offer them up 
as sacrifices to their deities. What a Paradise 
this Island of Wonder could be made if the peo- 
ple were governed by a directing hand. 

How the Professor’s heart must have longed to 
be able to show these people the advantages of 
peace and harmony. No doubt he contemplated 
this many times, and in his talks this was fre- 
quently alluded to. 

As evening was approaching the wagon was 
halted at one of the sweet springs, and the Sa- 
boros, under the order of Muro, scattered out to 
form the guard for the camp. The fort was erect- 
ed as usual, and the evening meal prepared. An 
ample supply of food was apportioned out for each 
of the guards, and the boys were about to take 
them to the watchers, but Muro would not permit 
this, and compelled each to come in for the pur- 
poses of the meal. 

John was depended on to keep the camp in 
proper safety, and Muro recognized this as his 
function, and when later on he came to John and 


MARCH TO THE SOUTH 


119 


beckoned him to follow, the latter knew tliat some- 
thing of more than ordinary importance was de- 
veloping. 

On the way toward the northwest, from which 
they had come, there was an evident movement, 
which could be perceived in the bright moonlight. 
Muro pointed to the earth and moved his hand 
along, and John was quick to grasp the situation 
and its meaning. He meant that the savages were 
trailing them by the wheels of the wagon, and 
this was made doubly easy on account of the heavy 
rain of the day previous. 

The movement in front was plainly visible to 
those accustomed to such things, and the situation 
was carried to the wagon without delay. No at- 
tack was anticipated during the night, and they 
had plenty of time to plan their defense. 

Who were the enemy? Muro did not know, but 
it was doubtless those who had thus kept on their 
trail for two days, in the hope that they would 
be held in check by the Kurabus to the south of 
them. 

Calling John and Blakely into consultation, the 
Professor again suggested the plan of sending 
word to the Saboros through the chief Muro, or 
his brother, Stut. The wisdom of this course was 
now apparent, so Muro was called in, and the plan 
outlined. 

He comprehended the situation at once, and im- 
mediately called in Stut, to whom he explained the 
nature of his mission. Without a word, he was 
provided with all the arrows which could be found, 
and given one of the spears, and before leaving 


120 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


George had prepared a package of food, which 
was gratefully accepted. 

All this was done with so much celerity and in 
such a businesslike manner that the boys readily 
understood that whatever may be said of savages, 
it impressed on them the earnestness and the 
obedient spirit that characterized all their move- 
ments. 


CHAPTER X 


THE CAPTURE OF THE PROFESSOR 

( There is nothing more trying than to wait dur- 
ing the long watches of the night, knowing there is 
an enemy at your door, who awaits the morn be- 
fore attacking. Light and darkness are wonderful 
things to contemplate. Every variety of subject 
was discussed, the moon and the stars, plants, 
trees and flowers, the habits of people, the seasons, 
and kindred topics, but the one absorbing topic 
that always had a leading place was the sav- 
age. 

“There is one thing I must admire in them,” 
said Blakely, “and that is persistency.” 

“That is one of the four cardinal principles in 
nature,” answered the Professor. 

George was at the front at once. “What are 
the other three?” 

“Resistance, reciprocity, and equalization.” 

“That is something new to me, and I do not 
know whether I understand the meaning of it.” 

“Well, in nature, everything persists in doing 
and in continuing to do just what it started out 
to do. For instance, a ball at rest will continue at 
rest forever, and if it is moving it will continue 
to move, unless in either case it is acted on by some 
external force.” 

“Now every object in nature also has resist- 
ance. It objects to a change of form or direction.” 

121 


122 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


“I can understand that, but I do not see where 
the other two come in.” 

“Well, nature is reciprocal in its tendencies. 
It gives and takes, so to say. If you heat water 
and set it aside, it will cool off in course of time. 
If the water should be placed in a receptacle that 
had air in it, the water would cool down, and the 
air would become warmer at the same time, and 
the heats would reciprocate — that is, become of 
the same temperature.” 

“Then, if you should heat up different subjects 
at the same time it would be found that some 
would require double the length of time to take 
up the same amount of heat. Suppose we take 
a pound of iron and a pound of aluminum. In 
the case of iron it would absorb, say 100 units of 
heat in ten minutes, whereas it would take fifteen 
minutes for the aluminum. If the heat is with- 
drawn it will be found that it takes the aluminum 
fifty per cent longer to give off its heat than the 
iron, and thus the process is equalized.” 

When morning came the savages were seen in 
force to the northwest, and Muro’s prediction that 
the Brabos were on the trail was found to be cor- 
rect. 

“This was the first time this tribe had ever faced 
the white men. As was afterwards learned, they 
had a knowledge of the existence of the “Fire 
Fiends,” as they were designated, but they now 
had to learn something first hand. 

As soon as the sun had arisen sufficiently to dis- 
tinguish objects well they moved up, keeping for 
the time at a safe distance, and Muro took delight 


CAPTURE OF THE PROFESSOR 123 


in showing himself to his late captors. This 
caused a chorus of howls, at which Muro laughed. 

At a signal they started forward, launching 
their arrows, when within shooting distance, and 
without stopping, poised their spears and rushed 
forward. At a signal seven shots rang out, and 
the leaders fell. Seven more guns were brought 
into position. The charge halted, and the Pro- 
fessor advised all to reload. Muro saw the won- 
derful execution, and danced about in glee, but he 



9. e/Jr row - tyjoe mo6t frequentl y u6&d, . 


could not understand why the shooting was not 
continued. It was such an unheard-of proceed- 
ing. 

Without stopping to gather the wounded, they 
retreated to a safe distance, and the party had an 
opportunity to count the number of the attacking 
party. All agreed that over a hundred were en- 
gaged, and it was evident that the Brabo village to 
the south had been called to assist. 

They surrounded the wagon at a safe distance, 
and the siege was begun. This could have been 
done only on the theory that starvation would 
compel a sortie or surrender. They had no idea 
of the number within the fort, but they knew 
what the effect of the fire had been, and they re- 
spected that warning. 


124 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


Muro was instructed to confer with them, and 
to say that they had no hostile intentions, and this 
was conveyed to them, but the only response was 
that the whites had commenced the hostilities by 
taking their prisoners from them; which was true. 

There was no common ground on which they 
could enter into a treaty with them, and the ques- 
tion now was to fight their way out as best they 
could. 

“We might remain here for the day and night, 
and if we find they persist in besieging us, must 
continue to the south, and fight them as we go.” 

All agreed to the Professor’s proposal; and 
they settled themselves to the more comfortable 
pastime of waiting for the morning. A most care- 
ful watch was kept up all night, and on two occa- 
sions parties stole up in order to secure more ad- 
vantageous positions, but the chief Muro and his 
friends were too much on the alert to give them 
any advantage. 

The wounded savages were removed by their 
friends in the night, and as soon as breakfast was 
over the entire party ranged alongside the wagon 
and headed for the south. This direction, it will 
be understood, would bring them directly into the 
heart of the Kurabus’ territory. 

If the two tribes were hostile toward each other 
this might be a factor in their favor, but if friend- 
ly it would certainly mean a bitter fight. Muro 
advised a southwesterly course, and this would, 
of course, avoid the necessity of fighting both 
tribes, but it might also lead them into another 
tribe just as hostile. 


CAPTURE OF THE PROFESSOR 125 


The direct route to Muro’s tribe was to the 
south, or rather to the southeast. It was a difficult 
problem to decide. They must force the issue, be 
it right or wrong. 

“We must ascertain from Muro how long it 
will take Stut to reach the tribe,” suggested John. 

“He says two days, and two days more to get 
the people in motion. Muro was pretty smart. 
He says he instructed them to attack the Kurabus 
on the south, and that would divert them from us, 
but the trouble is that he has hardly reached them 
yet, and before night we may be within the terri- 
tory of the Kurabus.” 

A southwesterly course was decided on, and the 
Brabos followed. Evidently they had no fear of 
the Kurabus, and the intervening time might have 
been employed by them in sending runners to in- 
form them of the invasion. All these things had 
to be taken into consideration. 

The camp that evening was made at a running 
brook, and in the open, as usual. The camp was 
again surrounded, and pickets were established to 
keep them at a safe distance. There was no indi- 
cation of the appearance of the Kurabus, and this 
relieved the situation somewhat. 

When morning came the besiegers were nowhere 
in sight, and this meant one of two things ; either 
that they had given up the fight in sheer disgust, 
or that the Kurabus were at hand. 

The country became more broken as they ad- 
vanced, and the continual ascent indicated a ridge 
of some extent, and this might be the dividing line 
between the limitations of the tribes on the dif- 


126 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


ferent sides, just as tliey liad found the streams to 
effect this division, and this was also pointed out 
by John and Blakely. 

The best trails were selected by John who was 
in the advance with Muro, and at noon stopped 
within a valley which had a curious rock forma- 
tion that attracted the eye of the Professor. 
The old instinct, to discover minerals, was too 
strong for him to resist, and with a pick was soon 
prospecting along the rocky walls. 

He was gone for an hour before his absence 
was particularly noted, and George was the first 
to direct attention to it. John and one of the 
Saboros started to the south in the direction taken 
by him, and returned in less than a half hour with- 
out any tidings. 

It was certain he had gone to the south, and the 
wagon was set in motion, and hurried forward. 
All was excitement now. Both sides of the ridge 
were examined, and indications found where the 
rock had been chipped and samples set aside. 

As John crossed one of the ridges, he saw in 
the distance a band of savages moving rapidly to 
the southeast, but too far distant to be able to dis- 
tinguish the individuals containing it. When Muro 
came up, he gazed forward, and his sharp, piercing 
eyes were sufficient to confirm their fears. 

The Professor had been captured! 

This startling news was conveyed to the boys, 
and their grief was heartrending to witness. They 
moved about from place to place without knowing 
what to say or do. The tears came, in spite of 
their efforts. 


CAPTURE OF THE PROFESSOR 127 


“What shall we do?” asked Harry through his 
tears. 

“W^ must follow them,” answered John, “but 
the wagon cannot travel fast enough for that. 
Muro and one of the Saboros will accompany me, 
and Blakely, you remain with the boys, and follow 
as I direct.” 

Then gcing to the highest point of the hill, he 
pointed to the south. “See the end of the forest 
in the distance, which may be five miles beyond. 
You will see the glimpse of the river there. To 
the east of that is an elevation, with trees very dis- 
tinctly outlined. That will be your objective point. 
Make for that place as rapidly as possible, unless 
you get information from us to the contrary.” 

“That is the forest where I made my home,” 
said Blakely. “I know every foot of this coun- 
try, and all down beyond that point. Within ten 
miles of that place is a savage village, and my 
opinion is that they are the ones who have the 
Professor.” 

“Muro has just informed me that the Osagas 
live in that neighborhood, or somewhat farther to 
the west, and beyond the river is another tribe 
called the Berees.” 

The boys looked at John. “Weren’t you cap- 
tured by them, and was not Chief from that tribe ?” 

“Yes, but my impression is that the Osagas are 
to the east of the place indicated.” 

If the Osagas captured the Professor there was 
some hope, because they did not believe Chief 
would permit him to be ill-treated. They had still 
to account for one, if not two, tribes in the south 


128 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


of the island, and of whom they knew nothing, ex- 
cept the slightest rumors. 

John selected six of the guns, and an ample 
supply of ammunition, and as the chief and his 
associates had been drilled in the use of the weap- 
ons since the last fight, it was felt that with the 
spears they carried they would be a match for a 
pretty good force. 

Thus equipped they plunged forward in the di- 
rection of the disappearing band. 

Let us follow the movements of the Professor. 
In his eagerness to collect samples, he went much 
farther than he intended, and left the wagon with- 
out taking anything in the shape of a weapon. 
When he had proceeded less than a half mile from 
the wagon, he was surrounded by a dozen warri- 
ors, whose headdress proclaimed them to be a 
tribe entirely different from any that they had 
formed the acquaintance of, and as he saw resist- 
ance was useless, quietly submitted, and tried by 
all his arts to induce them to accompany him. 

But to all his efforts they turned a deaf ear, and 
without waiting hurried him across the ridge and 
along the southern incline. The pick was taken 
away from him, and his clothing examined, but to 
his surprise nothing was taken from his pockets, 
although he carried a small knife, and other trink- 
ets that the boys had made. 

The march was kept up for fully four hours 
directly to the south and then turned to the east, 
and shortly before night the village came into 
view. His arrival created great excitement; and 
all turned out to welcome the strange man. 


CAPTURE OF THE PROFESSOR 129 


Months before this the Professor, in the course 
of his experimental work, had made what is called 
synthetic food — that is, the same material sub- 
stances as are used in any particular vegetable, 
are combined to have the same food qualities as 
the real article, and when put up in tablet form it 
requires but a small compass to give as much 
nutriment as a full meal. 

It was fortunate that this and the other con- 
tents of his pockets were not removed at the time 
of the capture, because those tablets became a 
wonderful agent, as the subsequent story will 
show. 

When he arrived his captors took him to the 
chief at once, and he treated the head of the tribe 
with the greatest deference. The house of the 
chief was the most pretentious in the village, as 
there were three rooms to be seen, and passing 
by the open passageway at one side he saw a child, 
probably ten years of age, lying on a couch. 

Evidently it was suffering, as its wan and drawn 
face indicated. After making his deference to the 
chief, he turned to the little sufferer, and the 
women shrieked and threw themselves in his way. 
He turned to the chief, and pointed to the child, 
and moved in that direction. 

The chief gave an order, and the women stepped 
aside. The Professor knelt down and took the 
child’s hand and felt its brow, while the chief 
looked on in astonishment. Turning to the chief 
he motioned for water, and indicated this by mak- 
ing the motion of pouring water from glass to 
glass. 


130 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


It was instantly understood, and when the wa- 
ter came, in a small gourd, he asked for another, 
or smaller vessel. Then reaching in his pockets 
he drew forth one of the small vials which the 
hoys had made, and poured a small portion into 
the small gourd, and forced some of it past the 
lips of the little sufferer. 





Por table 


All this was done in silence, and they looked on 
him with awe. His white hair and long snowy 
beard, the kindliness of his face, and his brave 
demeanor seemed to impress them in a wonderful 
way. 

At an order from the chief the warriors and at- 
tendants disappeared, and he was left by the side 
of the couch, holding the sufferer’s hand. 


CAPTURE OF THE PROFESSOR 131 

In less than a half hour the attendants brought 
a bountiful supply of food, but he waived them 
aside, and remained there undisturbed for fully 
two hours, during which time he had administered 
three doses of the medicine. 

The chief came in, and, taking him by the hand, 
led him away, and did all in his power to express 
his thanks for the service. One of the three rooms 
was assigned to him, and during the night he went 
to the patient many times, and to his gratification 
by morning the fever was broken, and the child 
began to perspire freely. 

When the chief came in and saw the condition 
of the little girl his gratification was beyond all 
bounds. The Professor witnessed, for the first 
time, how savage affection for their own can be 
just as intense as among civilized tribes. 

The chief led him outside and pointed to the 
north, indicating that he was ready to take him 
back to his friends; but the Professor shook his 
head, and pointed to the child. This amazed the 
chief, and he could hardly believe in the refusal 
of his captive to leave. 

During the afternoon he was surprised to notice 
the arrival of a large number of warriors, who 
had, evidently, returned from some skirmish, as 
they carried several wounded, and also three pris- 
oners, who were incarcerated in a hut near the 
center of the village. 

No restraint whatever was placed on his move- 
ments, and he wandered from place to place, and 
witnessed the wailings of several women who 
heard of the deaths of their own kindred. The 


132 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


Professor reproached himself, as he thought of 
the suffering he had, unwillingly, caused to others, 
but it could not be helped. 

One of the men was severely w r ounded by the 
thrust of a spear, and the Professor instantly 
saw that he was suffering from internal bleed- 
ing. Pushing aside the men who surrounded him, 
the Professor knelt down, changed the position 
of the bleeding warrior, and pressed his hand 
against the artery which led to the wound. 

His presence there, and the peremptory man- 
ner in which he undertook the relief, astonished 
the new arrivals, but it was for a moment only, 
when the hurried tales which spread from one to 
the other circulated among the crowd, and as the 
chief stepped forward and noticed the Professor 
he gave a command which plainly showed that 
his work had been appreciated. 

The Professor held his hand on the artery for 
fully an hour, until the blood clots began to 
form, and thus staunched the flow. The other 
wounded ones were attended to immediately after 
the critical patient had been put into a safe con- 
dition. 

The men, women and children followed him 
around, as he moved from place to place. Re- 
turning to the chiefs child, he found a slight 
fever, but this soon abated, and the second day 
the little patient began to assume a brighter ap- 
pearance. 

During all this time the Professor had not par- 
taken of a mouthful of the food offered him. His 
only nutriment was obtained from the tablets re- 


CAPTURE OF THE PROFESSOR 133 


f erred to. The chief could not understand this. 
Their amazement was intensified when he again 
refused food the third day. 

The Professor was, of course, playing a part. 
Mystery is the most potent thing with uncivilized 
tribes. He knew that John and the boys would 
be able to take care of themselves, and felt sure 
that before long he would hear from them. He 
was making a strong ally of these people, and the 
proper course was pursued to bring this about. 

He would have been able at any time after the 
first day to go back to his companions, and to 
add to his service something mysterious would 
make his power over them more potent than the 
mere healing. 

It should also be understood that the motive 
behind this had another meaning. All tribes have 
their own physicians, or medicine men, and the 
great factor of strength with them is the mys- 
teries with which they are able to shroud their 
cures. To heal the chief’s child, or to perform 
any other cures, would mean the bitter and vin- 
dictive hatred of that class. 

It was necessary, therefore, that he should be 
able to do that which was beyond their power to 
perform. To live without eating would be such 
an extraordinary power that it must impress them. 
The medicine men performed their incantations, 
but he made no objections, and it was plain that 
his ministrations were distasteful to them, when 
he saw their frowning faces. 

The chief’s power, and the grateful looks of the 
one which first received his attention, were suffi- 


134 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


cient to assure him that the policy he had pursued 
was successful. 

Meanwhile, what were his friends doing to res- 
cue him? John and the two Saboros plunged 
across the hills much faster than it was possible 
to urge the team. The trail was soon discovered 
by his associates, and they stopped only when 
night fell. After partaking a hurried meal, they 
again moved forward for an hour, when voices 
were heard in the distance. 

The mumblings grew more and more distinct, 
and when they halted were surprised to find a 
considerable body of savages ahead. If this was 
the same tribe which captured the Professor it 
must have been reinforced by a considerable body, 
as there were not more than a dozen in the party 
which took him. 

Moving to the left quite a distance, in order to 
avoid them, they came unexpectedly on another 
body, still more numerous. Here was a mystery 
which John could not solve for the moment. Muro 
was the first to catch the meaning of it. This 
was a hostile tribe, and they were waiting for the 
morning before attacking. 

It now appeared evident that the Professor’s 
captors were with one or the other of these war- 
ring factions, and they withdrew to the north, and 
found an elevation near by, so that they might be 
able to follow the events of the next day. 

But the wagon was coming up in the rear. It 
must be intercepted, and the three scouted to the 
north in order to discover whether it had moved 
up near enough to the position before night fell. 


CAPTURE OF THE PROFESSOR 135 


The night passed without finding the wagon. Un- 
doubtedly they had made camp before reaching 
the comparatively level country now occupied. 

In the morning the two tribes maneuvered, and 
the fight began. It would have been bad policy to 
mix in the affair, but Muro approached as close 
as possible in order to discover who the combat- 
ants were. When he returned his only words 
were : Osagas and Berees. 

The latter were a new tribe to John, but he 
was gratified to know that the Osagas were so 
near, and it greatly increased his interest in the 
affair. 


CHAPTER XI 

FINDING MORE OF THE INVESTIGATOR^ BOYS 

The fight was hotly contested. It was noticed 
that the combatants did not fight hand to hand. _ 
It was mostly a skirmish with bows and arrows, 
and considerable tactics were displayed in the ef- 
fort to turn each other’s position, and to effect cap- 
tures. 

To say the least, the so-called battle was a tame 
affair. In numbers they were evenly matched. 
Sometimes, under cover, one party would ap- 
proach close to the other and effect a rush, but 
this would be checked, and thus it raged back and 
forth with unvarying success. Those wounded 
would be captured in these rushes, and that seemed 
to be the main thing they were striving for. 

It was this battle that brought the wounded and 
the captives into the village where the Professor 
was. When the fight terminated John had no idea 
which was the victor. Judging from their stand- 
point, the side securing the greatest number of 
captives won in the encounter. 

While the battle was going on, the team came 
up and it was hurriedly concealed. Muro knew 
that neither tribe would come to the north, until 
driven in that direction by force of numbers, so 
the wagon was comparatively safe. 

The boys were very low-spirited, when they 
learned of the battle in their front. To move 
farther during that day and night would be folly. 

136 


FINDING MORE OF THE BOYS 137 

The way in front must be cleared. The next day 
the two forces were still facing each other. In 
spite of all the wit and ingenuity of the S^boros 
and John not a glimpse could be obtained of the 
Professor. They had no fear for him if he was 
in the hands of the Osagas. 

It was not until the fourth day that the Profes- 
sor began to have some doubts and misgivings on 
the part of his own people. 

He knew a battle had taken place somewhere, 
but he did not connect it with the conflict which 
John and Muro had witnessed. With a view of 
learning something of the tribe with which the 
warriors were engaged, he went to the miserable 
hut, almost in the center of the village where they 
had been taken on the first day. 

There, cooped in a small place, were seven pris- 
oners, two of them very small in comparison with 
the others, and both exceedingly filthy. The mo- 
ment the Professor made his appearance one of 
them ran to him screaming, and crying out : “Pro- 
fessor — how did you come here?” 

He was too much overpowered to answer for 
the moment. The other boy turned and burst into 
tears. “Oh, help us,” was all he said. The cries 
of the boys brought the inhabitants to the hut. 
The guards made no opposition to the Professor’s 
movements. 

The chief appeared immediately, and as the 
Professor saw him approaching, put his arms 
about the boys, and led them out. Then walking 
up to the chief, with a terrible frown in his face, 
demanded why they had been treated in this man- 


138 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


ner. It was a strong, bold play, but it accom- 
plished tbe purpose, for when the Professor point- 
ed to the filthy rags that covered the poor fel- 
lows an order from the chief was quick to bring 
them clothing. 

The boys cowered when they saw the peremp- 
tory manner in which he approached the chief, 
and the boys could not help the tears from com- 
ing, at the joy of deliverance. 

“Oh, tell ns, Professor, why you are here? 
Have you seen any of the other boys ? There are 
some others on the island, but we do not know 
where they are.” 

“I am a prisoner, as well as yourselves, and 
was taken only four days ago, but have no fear 
for your safety.” 

“But if you are a prisoner, why did you talk 
to the chief in that way?” 

“He is imder some obligations to me ; but come 
along with me, and fix yourselves up and to the 
amazement of the boys he led them into the chief’s 
house. The chief pointed to the boys and to the 
Professor as he spoke to the latter. The Profes- 
sor nodded, and put his arms about the boys as 
before. 

“How long have you been here ?” he asked. 

“Oh, a long time ; more than six months. Some 
of the boys may still be free; but they are way 
east of here, a great many miles.” 

“How do you know they are east of this many 
miles?” 

“Because there is where we were captured.” 

“Can you understand any of the language?” 


FINDING MORE OF THE BOYS 139 


“Yes; we can talk with them a little.” 

“I am glad to know that. Now I will see that 
you get water for taking a bath. How long is it 
since you have had a bath?” 

“Not since we were made prisoners.” 

“Is there a river near here?” 

“The river is at the foot of the hill to the east.” 

“Which direction does it flow?” 

“To the southwest.” 

“Take this clothing with you, and let us go to 
the river.” 

“Will they let us go?” 

“Never mind; follow me, and take everything 
for granted.” 

They passed out of the door, and through the 
crowd, and marched unmolested to the stream, 
which was not five hundred feet away. The sav- 
ages followed, but the Professor waved them back 
in an imperious manner, and they halted without 
a protest. 

“You act as though you were the chief. How 
did you happen to be the chief’s guest?” 

“I cured his daughter, and this is his grateful 
way of repaying me. But I have a secret to im- 
part to you, and you must obey my injunctions. 
During our stay on the island I equipped a labora- 
tory, and among other things made a synthetic 
food, which is put up in small tablets. 

“I have eaten nothing that they know of since 
my arrival but these tablets, and it was such a 
marvelous thing that it has made my influence far 
greater than the power of their medicine men. 
When we return the chief will, no doubt, have a 


140 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


meal ready for us. Do not be surprised if I do 
not eat. Act as though it was natural for me to 
live without eating.” 

“But are we going back again? Why can’t we 
escape?” 

“We don’t want to escape, without their aid.” 

The boys were astounded at this statement. 



ITlg.ll T>oan Plant. 


“Not escape without their aid? Why do you 
want them to help us ?” 

“Some of your friends will be here before long, 
aud when we escape we want to take the whole 
tribe with us,” said the Professor, smiling. 

The boys did not smile at this statement. They 
were quiet for a time. 

“But take your bath, boys, and don’t hurry it 
up.” We have plenty of time.” 

“Gee, I wish we had some soap.” 


FINDING MORE OF THE BOYS 141 


“Soap, why certainly; I think we can find 
plenty of it around here, and so saying the Profes- 
sor began a search along the stream, and as his 
eyes lighted on a shrub with long dagger-shaped 
leaves, broke off a number of the branches which 
carried at the top of each stem a large cluster of 
reddish brown berries. 

“We ate some of those on one occasion and 
were poisoned.” 

“They are poisonous, but not dangerously so.” 

“What do you do with them f ” 

“Simply mash them up; see how easily they 
saponify, and make suds.” 

“And here we have been all this time without 
knowing anything about them.” 

“Of course water is always necessary in using 
them,” and the Professor laughed, as did the boys 
also, at the recollection that they had no water 
for bathing purposes for six months. 

“Why it grows all over the island wherever we 
have been.” 

“Yes ; it grows extensively in Florida, Cuba and 
Mexico, and it is found in many varieties through- 
out China and in India, in which latter country 
it is called The Pride of India. In China it is 
called the China Tree.” 

When the boys had bathed and clothed them- 
selves they were transformed into new beings. 

“Oh, tell us about the boys, and how you hap- 
pened to come down here, and who are they?” 

The Professor told them the names of the boys, 
and continued : “I want the boys themselves to tell 
you all about what they have been doing, and 


142 


CAPTUEE AND PUBSUIT 


where we live, and what a fine time we have had 
ever since we were shipwrecked.” 

The Professor’s predictions were true. The 
chief had an elaborate meal prepared, and the boys 
and the Professor sat down with the chief. He 
remarked to the boys: “The meal looks most in- 
viting, and it is a trial not to partake, but I can 
stand it a few days more.” 

The Professor showed the greatest deference 
to the chief, and at every proffer of food which 
the chief made to the boys he acknowledged it in 
the most courtly manner. 

The finest woven and matted leaves were pro- 
vided by the chief in a spacious hut adjoining the 
chief’s home. Through the boys he began a con- 
versation with the chief, and learned many inter- 
esting things, which will be detailed later. His 
first desire now was, in the quiet of their new 
home, to learn something of the rudiments of the 
language. 

The boys knew most of the things commonly 
used by name, and some of the verbs, and these the 
Professor quickly acquired. He had a most won- 
derful memory, and could memorize pages without 
much effort, so that before morning he knew all 
that the boys had learned of the jargon, for it was 
but little else. 

In the morning when he approached the chief, 
he greeted him in his own tongue, not with great 
fluency, it is true, but he used the little he did ac- 
quire to good advantage. The chief marveled at 
this, because heretofore he had not uttered a word 
to indicate that he understood the tongue, and the 


FINDING MORE OF THE BOYS 143 


chief could not for a moment comprehend that it 
was possible for him to learn the language in a 
night. 

After this first interview, the boys were no less 
amazed at the memory displayed. 

“From the talk I had with the chief it does not 
seem that the language contains more than two or 
three hundred words.” 

“But do we use any more in talking?” 

“There are millions of our own people, fairly 
well educated, who have never used more than two 
hundred words in their whole lives. It is not 
the number of words, but the order of arrange- 
ment selected that is of value. Many noted au- 
thors have written whole books by the use of less 
than two thousand words. Under the circum- 
stances, the hundred words you taught me were not 
much of a i'eat to memorize. As it was, I learned 
probably twenty words more that you did not 
have in your vocabulary.” 

The Professor was out with the boys every mo- 
ment of the time, gathering information, and in- 
vestigating the nature of the country around the 
villages. While on one of these excursions Jim 
plucked a branch from a thick stem, and said: 

“There are many of these nuts in this part of 
the island, and we have often wondered if they 
were good to eat.” 

“By all means; you have eaten ice cream with 
these nuts in many times. Why, we had them on 
shipboard, if you remember.” 

“I don’t recall it.” 

“This is the Pistachio nut. Go back to the stalk 


144 


CAPTUEE AND PUESUIT 


where you broke off this stem and you will see 
the sap coming out. That is a resin or gum, and 
valuable in commerce. This nut is historical. It 
formed part of the present which Joseph's breth- 
ren took with them from Canaan to Egypt, and 



TT'ig. 12. Pi&tachio . 


in the latter country, even to this day, they are 
placed among the sweetmeats in all presents of 
courtesy.” 

“But are they eaten raw!” 

“No; they are usually boiled with a small 
amount of salt, and sweetened afterwards.” 

“What is th^ salt put in for!” 

“To destroy the acid in them; and that is done 
with most vegetables, and for the same reason.” 


CHAPTER XII 


THE PURSUIT INTERCEPTED BY EIGHT BETWEEN TRIBES 

The situation was a most exasperating one to 
John and the boys. They were actually prevent- 
ed from ascertaining which of the tribes had the 
Professor, and their way to the south was blocked. 

In desperation John suggested that come what- 
ever might, they would ascertain where he was 
held, even though they had to enter the camps. 
Muro was consulted and John’s determined atti- 
tude was sufficient to enlist his services and co- 
operation. 

During the night the two carefully approached 
the scene of the battlefield, and secured the vari- 
ous headdresses of the slain and wounded, the 
object being to effect their entrance to the rival 
camps by means of the disguises. 

The Berees were to their right, and not far from 
what appeared to be the West River. The Osa- 
gas were to the left, and encamped on a small 
stream which flowed into the West. Beyond the 
position of the latter stream, and less than three 
miles distant, was the elevation which John had 
pointed out as the destination of the team. 

Morning came before the headdresses could be 
obtained, and it was therefore impossible to in- 
vade the Berees’ camp that night. 

Five days had now elapsed since Stut had been 
sent off on the mission to his people. There was 
145 


146 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


no news from him, nor did the Kurabns appear 
on the scene, and Muro began to wonder at this 
silence from his brother. He felt sure that some 
word should have reached them during the day, 
but in this all were disappointed. 

Several attacks and counter charges were made 
during the day, but the positions of the parties 
were maintained, and night came on none too soon 
for John. Muro insisted that he and his compan- 
ion should undertake the investigation alone, and 
Blakely insisted that John should comply with 
their request, as he felt that the same object would 
be accomplished without the risk that might be 
attended in case John should expose himself to 
capture. 

He reluctantly consented, but insisted on ac- 
companying them close up to the lines, and Blake- 
ly and Harry also went forward to assist. The 
Saboros waited until late in the night, and then 
made their way to the Berees’ camp, followed by 
the whites. 

At a safe distance John halted, and Muro and 
Nomo, rigged out as Berees, kept on, and shortly 
thereafter entered the camp, having made their 
way through the line without discovery. The Be- 
rees had no pickets along their western line, fac- 
ing the river, as they did not expect an attack 
from that quarter. 

They were gone for a full hour, and returned as 
silently as they went. There were no captives in 
camp. If any had been taken the probabilities 
were that they would have been guarded within 
the limits of the camp. 


FIGHT BETWEEN TRIBES 


147 


A wide detour was now made by Muro and 
Nomo, in order to gain the southern side of the 
Osagas. John and Blakely concluded it would be 
unwise to separate themselves from the wagon to 
accompany them around the camp, and remained 
on the north side. 

Everything was quiet for fully an hour and a 
half, when they were startled by a gunshot. This 
could have come only from Muro and Nomo. John 
moved up closer, in order to get a better view of 
the situation, but the darkness prevented him from 
learning what it meant. There was great excite- 
ment in the camp, and the Berees became active 
at the noise of the gun. 

Voices were heard at the right, as well as in the 
immediate front. It was evident that the Berees 
were concentrating and moving toward the Osagas. 

It was an intense moment for the watchers, and 
they could do nothing to aid, as they had no idea 
what caused the continued uproar. It was obvi- 
ous that Muro and Nomo had been discovered, 
and that the shot was in self-defense. 

To prevent discovery John and his party moved 
back several hundred feet, nearer the wagon, and 
Muro immediately reappeared, with the news that 
Nomo had been captured. Muro’s gun had been 
accidentally discharged, as they were leaving the 
camp, and the possession by them of the guns was 
the very thing which attracted the attention of 
the warriors to them. 

Muro was sure, however, that there were no 
white captives among the Osagas, and this infor- 
mation added another mystery to the situation. 


148 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


“My knowledge of Chiefs attitude toward us is 
sufficient to justify us in going boldly into the 
camp of the Osagas. I do not believe he will harm 
us, and it may be the quickest way to solve the 
whole matter.” 

Blakely and the boys questioned the wisdom of 
such a course, but as John insisted on going him- 
self, and his judgment had in the past proven cor- 
rect, in all matters of this kind, his views pre- 
vailed. 

“I will undertake this mission myself, and will 
give you some instruction to follow in certain 
emergencies. My mission must be to them dur- 
ing the daytime, so that as soon as possible in the 
morning I will enter their camp. I intend to carry 
with me a gun, and one of the pistols will be con- 
cealed. They will, without doubt, disarm me, and 
I shall have to depend on my ingenuity to keep 
the pistol for the purpose of warning you.” 

“If you hear the pistol shot, it will be the signal 
for you to attack ; but do not attempt that under 
any circumstances, unless you get that warning 
from me. Each one must be provided with two of 
the guns, for this purpose, and the six of you can, 
no doubt, strike terror into them.” 

“There is one thing we must consider,” said 
Blakely, “and that is the attitude, and probable 
action, on the part of the Berees.” 

“I was coming to that. The Osagas will know 
that the attack is on the part of my people, and 
the onslaught by you will be more of a mystery 
to the Berees than anything else. I am counting 
on the commotion caused by the tiring, to effect my 


FIGHT BETWEEN TRIBES 


149 


escape, and I can do this, if at all, before the 
Berees have time to collect their wits, and deter- 
mine on a course of action.” 

A hurried breakfast was prepared, and John 
made all his arrangements for the projected visit. 
Angel was in a tree, which was at the rear of the 
wagon, and as John was about to start, he came 
down and began the telltale chatter which betok- 
ened an alarm. 

George was at his side the moment he reached 
the ground, and Angel again ascended and pointed 
to the north. 

“Who are those coming in from the north!” 
cried out George, in excitement. 

Muro saw the commotion, and sprang to the 
tree. “Kurabus,” was all he said. 

This startling announcement was received in 
astonishment. Had Stut’s mission failed? It 
was now the sixth day of his departure. It is 
true that they might easily have trailed the route 
the wagon had made, but why should they openly 
and boldly march down into a country belonging 
to another tribe? 

“Either this is debatable ground, and the Kura- 
bus are at war with the two tribes in our front, 
or they are after us.” 

“What course would you advise ?” asked Blakely. 

“It is entirely out of the question for me to 
visit the Osagas now. I see no other remedy but 
to fight, and we might as well give them the lesson 
of their lives. This is the time to be the aggres- 
sors. I do not mean that we shall needlessly ex- 


150 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


pose ourselves, but we must sboot to kill, and not 
hesitate in the slightest.” 

The boys knew what that meant, and it pleased 
them. The Kurabus came in sight so the tree 
was not needed to distinguish their movements. 
The wagon had been put in such a position that it 
was shielded from their foes on the south, but to 
the north it was exposed. 

“Here, quick, boys, cut down branches of trees 
and put them up on the north side of the wagon 
to hide the light-colored top,” was John’s first 
order. 

The nearest bushes were selected, and a fairly 
good imitation of a bush was prepared in haste, 
and they awaited the attack. To their surprise 
they saw several warriors in the lead, as scouts. 

“They are getting very wise, in employing the 
scouting tactics, and this shows they are after 
some game, whether it is the other tribe’s or some 
one else.” John cautioned silence, and then con- 
tinued : 

“Their scouts will, of course, discover us before 
the main body comes up. We must not fire on 
the advance parties. Wait until they attempt a 
rush, so we can get enough of them in reach to 
make it count.” 

The advance warriors did not discover the pres- 
ence of the wagon until within a hundred feet of 
it, and the scramble to the rear, and the falling 
and crawling tactics displayed in their eagerness 
to protect themselves and get away, was too amus- 
ing to prevent the boys from laughing. 

When the scouts reported the presence of the 


FIGHT BETWEEN TBIBES 


151 


wagon in front, there was a hnrried consultation, 
and instead of moving forwardly to the wagon, 
they circled around to the right, keeping away a 
sufficient distance to keep outside of the range of 
the guns. They had learned to respect them at 
the last meeting. 

“What a magnificent surprise they will get if 
they go far enough in that direction,” said John, 
with a broad smile. 

“See, the Osagas and the Berees are at it again,” 
and the movements of the two parties were plainly 
evident. Within fifteen minutes the battle began, 
and the noise of the conflict reached the ears of 
the Kurabus. 

“The information we shall get within the next 
half hour will be sufficient to decide our course,” 
murmured John, as he gazed at them. 

“Do you think,” responded Harry, “that they 
will join forces with either of the parties?” 

“That is the point exactly. From the manner 
in which they are acting the Kurabus are after us. 
and not either of the tribes before us. But see 
what they are doing? Why are they going back?” 

They doubled back on their tracks and made a 
circling movement around the wagon to the right, 
and in that manner came up behind the Berees. 

John quickly communicated his views to the 
party. “Now is our time to act. Take in the 
fort at once, and move to the east.” 

This looked like a hazardous thing to do, to the 
boys, but Muro saw the situation at once, and he 
assisted in the work, and it did not take ten min- 
utes to set the wagon in motion, Blakely leading 


152 CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 

the way, and John and Mnro serving as a rear 
guard. 

The singular thing about this whole proceeding 
was, that the Kurabus did not even send out 
scouts to watch the movements of the parties in 
the wagon. This was one of the reasons why 
John adopted this apparently rash movement. 

Afterwards, when George questioned him as to 
the reason for taking that hazardous course, he 
replied: “In war you must never do that which 
the enemy thinks you are going to do. The more 
hazardous the movement, the more likely it is to 
succeed. The history of stratagems is full of such 
instances. This is the way I diagnosed the situ- 
ation : The Kurabus marched to the position be- 
hind the Berees, either for the purpose of attack- 
ing or to assist. 

“Now, it is perfectly obvious that in either event, 
we were at their mercy, as soon as the fight was 
over. If they assisted the Berees, they would 
doubtless win over the Osagas. If they attacked 
to assist the Osagas, they would also be the win- 
ners, beyond question, and in either event the two 
tribes which were successful would, according to 
their way of thinking, put us at their mercy.” 

“The theory then was, that the Kurabus would 
have considered our leaving a most hazardous 
thing to undertake, and that was just the risk 
you considered safest?” asked Blakely. 

“That states the position exactly.” 

“As subsequent events showed, you were right.” 

Directing the course of the wagon down the 
slight incline, and veering to the left, Blakely 


FIGHT BETWEEN TRIBES 


153 


soon got the wagon behind the crest of the hill. 
Ralph came back to assist, and when John saw 
him he hurriedly whispered to him : “Run to the 
wagon and tell Harry that as soon as the wagon 
gets over the crest, to drive forwardly at all speed 
directly to the east.” 

“Have you any objective point to go to?” 

“No, no, never mind that. Go to the east; we 
will know how to follow.” 

John and Muro remained on the crest of the hill 
for a full half hour before they began to retreat. 
During this time there was no attack by the Kura- 
bus, and another puzzling thing was presented. 

Muro did not know that any enmity existed be- 
tween the tribes, although such might be the case 
since he had been away. But this half hour was 
a precious period, and the wagon was now at least 
two miles away. It is true they were now bound 
for the Kurabus , territory, and if the movement 
could be concealed until night, they might break 
through the line somewhere during the darkness, 
and thus get into touch with Muro’s people. 

The character of the country now grew rougher 
and rougher, and the wagon’s movements slower 
and slower. In some places it was so cut up with 
ravines that they could not go a half mile an 
hour. In one respect this was an advantage, as 
the trails were more or less concealed at various 
places. 

“I am sure they will trail us the moment the 
issue between the parties is decided,” said John, 
“and we must, therefore, conceal our track by mak- 
ing a plain one.” 


154 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


Harry laughed at the contradictory nature of 
the suggestion. 

“Certainly ; I mean that, exactly. Did you ever 
hear the story of Robert Bruce in the Scottish 
wars, how he deceived his pursuers by reversing 
the shoes of his horse? The same thing was done 
by the noted highwayman, Dick Turpin.” 

“But the yaks haven’t any shoes to turn 
around.” 

“Then we shall have to adopt another plan.” 

“Tell us what to do at once.” 

“Get a quantity of the ramie cloth; better still, 
take off the top and cut it up into eight pieces, 
and fold it so as to make a boot for the feet of the 
yaks.” 

“I have plenty of cord,” exclaimed George. 

“Now hold; don’t be too fast. Some of you go 
ahead of the team, after it is turned around, and 
carefully obliterate the tracks made by the ani- 
mals coming this way. Then drive the animals 
back along the path before we put on the boots, 
until we reach the place where we came into this 
little valley. You see we entered it at about right 
angles. We must put the boots on at the place 
where we entered the valley, or a few hundred 
feet beyond.” 

“But how can we hide the tracks made by the 
wheels ?” 

“I don’t want to hide them. This will take some 
careful driving, Harry, as I want you to follow 
along in the exact tracks made by the wagon in 
coming this way. The animals’ tracks will now 
plainly show that the wagon is going to the north.” 


FIGHT BETWEEN TRIBES 


155 


The wagon was driven back carefully to the 
north, and beyond the point where they had en- 
tered the valley. 

“Now, boys, put on the boots. This seems to 
be a good place to make the change, as the ground 
is firmer, and the grass grows closer and thicker. 
Leave one foot on each animal unshod.” 

“This is a new wrinkle, isn’t it!” asked Tom, 
laughingly. 

“I suppose it is,” he answered, “but you will 
see the point in a moment. Now drive forward 
for a hundred feet or so. That is right. Take 
out all the traces of the wagon you can.” 

“But we can still see the prints of the unshod 
feet.” 

“That is good. Now put the boot on the foot of 
the other yak, so only one foot will show in the 
tracks.” 

“How far shall we drive with this one foot 
showing ?” 

“About fifty to a hundred feet. Are you get- 
ting out of the wheel tracks f ” 

“Yes. What shall we do now?” 

“Put on the remaining boot.” 

“Oh, I see ; you didn’t want the tracks to disap- 
pear all at the same time?” 

“That is the idea. You see, this is pretty firm 
ground. Now, Harry, can we turn the team 
around at right angles and go up over that steep- 
est part?” 

“I am afraid it will be a big pull.” 

“All right, then; there are plenty here to help 
the yaks over. This is a capital place to leave 


156 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


the trail. I imagine they will follow it up along 
the valley, and not suspect that we have hauled 
the wagon across the hill.” 

The object of this maneuver was now fully com- 
prehended. The most infinite pains were taken to 
eliminate all traces of the wagon, and Muro was 
on hand at every point, and was most expert in 
the art of concealing. 

The proceeding amused him exceedingly, as was 
shown by the constant smile that manifested itself 
in a chuckle, to the delight of the boys. This was 
real fun, and surely the boys needed it; but with 
all that they could not keep their minds from the 
Professor, and the constant speculations as to his 
fate. 


CHAPTER XIII 


THE BEEEES WARRIORS UNDER COMMAND OF THE PRO- 
FESSOR 

“But you boys have not told me your names. 
I know yours is William, and you are James. 
Why, yes ; I should not have forgotten James Red- 
field and William Rudel. ,, 

“But we are only Will and Jim, you know,” and 
the Professor smiled at the earnestness of Will 
to be sure and give them the right designations. 

Early that morning there was more or less com- 
motion in the village and as Jim went out to inves- 
tigate, several warriors appeared, but he was not 
able to get much information. They could be 
heard in the chiePs house, and soon enough was 
learned to assure them that the warriors in the 
field were having a bitter fight. 

This was on the sixth day after the Professor 
had been brought to the village. “Can you learn 
with whom they are fighting?” asked the Pro- 
fessor. 

Will went out and mingled with the crowd that 
now gathered about the chief’s quarters. On his 
return, he said : “It is a tribe to the east, called 
the Osagas.” 

This news stirred the Professor into activity. 
“The Osagas ! We must take a hand in this,” and 
he rushed out of the hut, and made his way to 
the chief. Calling him aside he stated that if he 
157 


158 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


was at war with the Osagas, he might he able to 
effect a reconciliation, as he had befriended one 
of their chiefs, and then inquired if he knew Uraso, 
the chief. 

At the mention of that name the chief started, 
and looked at the Professor keenly, before reply- 
ing. This is what he replied, in substance: 

“Uraso was the chief of the Osagas, but he was 
captured by some white people like yourselves, 
and offered up as a sacrifice by them. A new 
chief, his brother, called Krami, was now at the 
head of the tribe. If Uraso were still chief we 
would not have this trouble. They took the two 
white men away from us, and when we took the 
boys they determined to be revenged, and we have 
now been fighting for six weeks.” 

“Did you take the boys from the Osagas f” 

“No.” 

This information tallied exactly with the news 
given Uraso when he was their captive, as to 
the men, and also explained that another tribe had 
the boys. Things were beginning to clear up. 

During the evening of the sixth day, the war- 
riors began to come in rapidly, with news of their 
defeat. In the hurried conversations and ani- 
mated snatches of information which the boys 
could gather, the names of the Kurabus figured 
most prominently, and this led the Professor to 
inquire the facts more particularly from the chief. 

The Professor gave the chief this information : 

“We were on our way to see you, when we found 
ourselves opposed to the Kurabus and the Sabo- 
ros, who attacked us. We tried to inform them of 


BEREES WARRIORS 


159 


our peaceful intent, but they refused to listen to 
any proposals. We resisted them and during the 
night the two tribes attacked each other. 

“We captured two of their wounded, and took 
them back with us to our home at the eastern end 
of the island, and on this trip brought them with 
us. We learned that one of them was the brother 
of the Saboro chief, whom we rescued from the 
Kurabus, nearly two weeks ago. The chief and 
another of his tribe are now with my friends, where 
your warriors captured me.” 

“Was Muro the chief ?” he inquired. 

“Yes.” / 

“And he is my friend.” 

Without making explanations of any sort, the 
chief summoned his warriors, and stated to them 
that the Professor was their friend, and had 
beaten the Kurabus, and that the act of taking the 
Professor from his friends was a wrongful act. 
He commanded them to follow the Professor, and 
be guided by his directions. Preparations were 
now made for the departure. 

The Professor now plainly exhibited his delight, 
which, had it been shown in the presence of his 
boys, would have made them view him with won- 
der. The evening meal was brought in, and the 
boys, as well as the Professor on this occasion, 
sat at the ring around which the food was spread, 
and the first act of the Professor was to partake 
sparingly of the different things offered. 

This was extremely gratifying to the chief, who 
showed that he appreciated it. During the meal 


160 


CAPTUEE AND PUESUIT 


the Professor said: “What do you know about 
the winds and the lightning and the thunder?” 

The chief studied for a moment. “There is a 
great spirit that does those things. He is way 
up in that direction,” pointing to the north. 

“But is it a good spirit?” asked the Professor. 

“We do not know whether he is good or bad. 
Sometimes he will be bad to us and sometimes 
good.” 

“Do you ever pray to him?” 

“I do not understand what that means.” 

“Don’t you ever ask him to help you?” 

“That would not do any good. He is too big 
and too far away.” 

“Did the Great Spirit make you?” 

The chief opened his eyes, with the suggestion 
of a smile, as he replied: “No; how could he 
make beings like us? He is a spirit, and spirits 
do not make men.” 

“Then how did you come on the island? Some- 
body must have made the first man.” 

“No; man always was, and always will be.” 

“But somebody must have made the first bow 
and arrow.” 

“Yes; man made that.” 

“If man made the first bow, then somebody 
must also have made man.” 

“No; I do not understand it that way. Man 
did not make the trees. They grow from seeds 
or roots, and if there had been no seeds or roots 
there would have been no trees. Bows do not 
grow, they are made.” 

Here was the savage philosophy. 


BEREES WARRIORS 


161 


“But if there is a great spirit, and you know 
that he makes the terrible winds and the light- 
nings and thunder, don’t you think he would help 
you if you should ask him?” 

He mused for a while, and then answered slowly : 
“It would do no good, because if the Kurabus 
should pray to him at the same time we are pray- 
ing to him, how would we know which side he 
would fight for? Sometimes we win, and some- 
times they win, and the Great Spirit acts the same 
to everybody all the time.” 

The boys could not help but smile at the char- 
acter of this argument. 

The Professor was not yet satisfied with the 
information as to his beliefs. 

“Do not some of the tribes offer up sacrifices to 
the captives?” 

“Yes ; some do. But we do not believe in it.” 

“Do the other tribes here believe about the great 
spirit the same as you do?” 

“Yes; about the same.” 

“Well, when they offer up sacrifices, what is 
that done for, or to whom are the sacrifices made ?” 

“Ah! there; you do not understand why, nor 
do we know. In each tribe are wise men, and they 
tell us that sometimes the Great Spirit asks for 
some sacrifice, and that when we have sickness 
it will make us well, and that we will be successful 
in battle, and we carry out the sayings of the 
wise men.” 

“Isn’t that a kind of prayer to the Great 
Spirit?” 

“Oh, no ! In a prayer you only ask. In a sac- 


162 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


rifice, you give. When you give something to a 
man it is different from asking him for some- 
thing.” 

The above conversation is given, not in the ex- 
act language of the chief, because that would have 
been impossible, and it is therefore translated 
and arranged so as to make it more readable. 

In the morning the warriors were lined up, and 
the brother of the chief, whom he called Ralsea, 
was in the immediate charge of them. The chief 
gave explicit instructions as to their behavior, 
and that the good will of the white chief would 
be of the greatest service to them and their people. 

The chief on this occasion showed the wonderful 
power over his tribe. He was advanced in years, 
and unable to take active part in their struggles, 
but his address impressed all of them, and when 
he finished all held up the right hand, and bowed 
to the earth, and the boys seeing the Professor do 
likewise they also made a like obeisance, an act 
they had witnessed many times before. 

In the meantime, wliat were John and his party 
doing? They left the deceptive trail, and cross- 
ing the ridge, hurried rapidly along the uneven 
ground toward the east. If it had been an open 
plain this attempt at concealment would not have 
availed them. 

Traveling along in the narrow gulches and con- 
tracted valleys, which trended, in a general way, 
to the east, their movements were concealed, and 
at midday estimated that the distance from the 
battle-ground was fully eight miles. 

Stopping only long enough to allow the cattle 


BEREES WARRIORS 


163 


to feed, and taking their luncheon in the mean- 
time, the yaks were turned to the south, in the 
effort to reach the border line of the territory 
occupied by the Saboros. 

They w T ere now compelled to go across the 
ridges, instead of following along the more easy 
route with the streams. This made exceedingly 
slow going, but it was far safer, as Muro advised 
them, and night came all too soon for them. 

The utmost vigilance was exercised during the 
night, as stray bands might be upon them at any 
moment. Once out of the Kurabus’ territory, and 
they would be safe from attack. 

“Isn’t it singular,” exclaimed Ralph, as they sat 
within the wagon that night, “what a small por- 
tion of the island is really inhabited by these 
people!” 

“There is a very good reason for that,” an- 
swered John. “The continual warfare among the 
tribes prevents the spread of the population. An- 
other thing also tends to keep it down. The peo- 
ple have no ambition ; nothing to work for. The 
only thing is the primal one of self-preservation.” 

“What a magnificent place this would be to 
promote,” suggested Blakely. 

“What, promote it with all the savages here!” 
and Tom laughed at the idea. 

“Yes, indeed; they would be just the fellows to 
use in the promotion.” 

“What is there here to promote!” asked Ralph. 

“What is there here! The finest wood in the 
world; and besides that the island is full of min- 
eral, or I am much mistaken. But that isn’t all. 


164 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


This soil is as rich as any upon the Nile or the 
Amazon, and it is well watered. Why, this could 
be made a paradise.” 

“Do you mean to raise things?” 

“Why, certainly. Almost everything which 
grows in the tropics could be cultivated here.” 

“But where would the natives come in?” 

“To do the work, and in the doing of it, there 
would be a means to work out their own salva- 
tion.” 

“What would they want to work for, anyhow?” 
asked Tom. 

John laughed at the question. I can under- 
stand your view-point. As it is, they have abso- 
lutely no need of work. They exist, and that is 
the whole philosophy of life with them.” 

“Then how can you change it?” 

“By making them want something else.” 

“How can you do that?” 

“Show them something they want, and you have 
started them on the right road.” 

“Well, as it now is, they want something and go 
out with their bows and arrows and spears, and 
try to take it.” 

“Quite true ; they haven’t learned the first prin- 
ciple in the white man’s philosophy.” 

“What is it?” 

“The law of least resistance.” 

“What does that mean?” 

“Another way of expressing it is to say that 
we try to get things by the easiest and quickest 
methods. But there is another law which must 
also be instilled.” 


BEREES WARRIORS 


165 


“And what is that?” 

“That property is sacred ; and it necessarily fol- 
lows that to acquire what is mine, requires some- 
thing from you in return.” 

“But I do not see how you are going to put any 
ideas of that kind in the minds of these devils.” 

“I will answer that in this way: You have 
brought with you a number of little mirrors, and 
various trinkets. The savages value things of 
that kind immensely. In their present condition, 
the plan on which they work, is to take them by 
force. Suppose I should say to them: ‘Bring 
fifty pounds of ramie fiber, or twenty pounds of 
barley, or some game, and I will give you a mir- 
ror.’ Such a proposal would show him the easiest 
route, unless he was too infernally lazy, to get 
the coveted article.” 

“But suppose he should say that he doesn’t 
want to buy it, and purposes to take it in his own 
way?” 

“Then he must be made to understand, by forci- 
ble means, that there is only one way to get it, and 
that is by barter.” 

On the following day the course did not im- 
prove ; they were still on the ridge that separated 
the two rivers, one flowing to the north, and the 
other to the south. Before nine o’clock Muro 
came back with the intelligence that some band 
could be discerned directly ahead of them, and in 
the line of their travel. 

To go southwest would bring them right into 
the heart of the Kurabus’ territory, and south- 
westerly of their position would bring them within 


166 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


range of the two hostile tribes. The band was 
still too far away to distinguish them. Muro 
hoped it was his own people, but this was not 
considered likely, since they had not sent any run- 
ners to inform Muro of the course they were 
taking. 

Muro knew that this would be done in any 
event. Blakely asked: “May it not be possible 
that the messengers were sent in the direction of 
our wagon in the north ?” 

“I told him where we were going, and they would 
follow the wagon trail.” 

Stut would know how to do this, and it was 
therefore likely that the band in sight was either 
the Kurabus or the Osagas. A strong position 
was selected for the erection of the portable fort, 
and this was concealed as well as possible by 
shrubbery, so that unless they came too close in 
their march it would be unnoticed. 

Muro was far in advance when they came up, 
but having discovered the identity of the tribe, 
hurried back with the startling intelligence that 
they were the Brabos. 

“Well, they have gone through the Kurabus 
country. What does all this mean?” 

“I infer that they are making a raid on account 
of the absence of the Kurabus to the southwest,” 
answered John. 

Fortunately, it was not a large party, but that 
was the more singular, and it was the perplexing 
part of the whole matter. 

“It does not seem conceivable that less than two 
dozen of the Brabos should venture down here, 



.wS, 


f 


■: 

1 * 

t §11 • 




i: • 

■ Si' ?. 
s* ¥ 




“‘Do you think they ivill he able to read that?’ asked Will ” 


[See p. 176] 







BEREES WARRIORS 167 

unless they had some larger party somewhere 
near.” 

J ohn conferred with Muro, and he seemed to be 
puzzled at the new situation. 

“We must fight these fellows, if they discover 
us, and overwhelm them. They must be scattered 
to the wind. It is our only alternative. Get the 
guns and ammunition ready, and give them volley 
after volley if they attempt to attack us in any 
way.” John was determined now. 

Despite their efforts at concealment, the Brabos 
discovered the wagon, and without waiting for 
argument commenced the fight with bows and 
arrows. 

“Now let them have it.” 

The first volley was a fearful one in its effect. 
They halted in the rush, and turned to the east. 

• “Out, boys, and after them ; take the extra guns, 
and follow them up.” With a shout the boys ran 
forward, ahead of Blakely and John, but Muro 
was, nevertheless, in the lead. Two who had been 
wounded at the fire, fell, and were soon overtaken. 

“Don’t go over a half mile,” shouted John. It 
was useless to follow the fleet warriors. As they 
passed the fallen Brabos, both were found to be 
wounded in the legs, and to their surprise, begged 
to be taken to the wagon. 

Muro spoke to them. John interpreted their 
appeal to mean that they were really at war with 
the Kurabus, and did not want to be left in the 
enemy’s country in their disabled condition. This 
was the fact as Muro gathered it from the cap- 
tives. 


168 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


The four lying on the battle line were dead. 
Muro was told to inform the captives of their 
peaceful intention, and that they were on a trip 
through the island on a mission, and not to secure 
captives. They were further informed that 
friendship on their part would be advantageous 
to them, and providing them with food, and a 



Id. Pineapple. 


sheltered spot, the fort was replaced, and the 
wagon proceeded. 

The boys had here the first opportunity to see 
the pineapple, which grew in patches along their 
path. The boys could not be restrained, and An- 
gel was called into requisition. With his strong 
arms he broke off dozens of them, and the sin- 
gular thing about it was he never made a mistake. 
His faculty for getting the ripe ones was un- 
failing. 

“I didn’t know these grew here,” said Harry. 


BEREES WARRIORS 


169 


“Yes,” answered John; “but only in certain sec- 
tions, or in particular soils. It grows in semi- 
tropical countries, and is a native fruit in Mexico, 
Central America, Guiana and Brazil. It is 
claimed that the pineapple contains all the essen- 
tial elements of every fruit.” 

“Did you ever see such leaves ?” 

“Many varieties have leaves over three feet 
long, and are valuable because the most beautiful 
silken fiber is found in them from which the finest 
fabrics are woven.” 


CHAPTER XIV 


THE WAGON IN THE FIGHTING ZONE OF FOUR TRIBES 

The Professor had made a most careful exam- 
ination of the population of the village, and an 
estimate of the total number of the Berees in the 
entire tribe. He found that their territory ex- 
tended to the west and south as far as the ocean, 
and besides the village in which the chief lived, 
there were two or three others, smaller, and all 
contributed their quota to the warring force. 

On the night before their departure, he ques- 
tioned the chief as to the numbers in the different 
tribes, but of this he couid only estimate the war- 
riors. 

“How ma.ny warriors have the Kurabus ?” 

“About two hundred.” 

“Do you know about the others?” 

“The Brabos have one hundred and seventy- 
five ; the Osagas one hundred and fifty ; the Sabo- 
ros the same number; the Tuolos two hundred 
and twenty-five; and the Iliyas more than two 
hundred and fifty.” 

“So that you have about the same number as the 
Osagas and the Saboros?” 

“Yes; about one hundred and fifty.” 

“How many women and children have you in 
all the villages?” 

“About the same number as warriors.” 

170 


WAGON IN THE FIGHTING ZONE 171 


“Are there any more tribes than you have men- 
tioned!” 

“No; but there are some wild people who are 
not members of any of the tribes, but they live 
near the mountains.” 

“What kind of people are the Iliyas!” 

“They are very mean, and are the enemies of 
all the others; and so are the Tuolos.” 

When the warriors were mustered the Profes- 
sor found ninety strong, vigorous specimens, the 
picked ones of the tribe. It need not be added 
that the Professor unfolded a scheme whereby 
he hoped to stop all further wars, and to greatly 
enrich all of them, and it was fortunate that he 
found in the chief a willing listener to the pro- 
posal. 

With this explanation it will be the more readily 
understood with what enthusiasm he placed his 
people at the disposal of this strange man. He 
explained the strength of the white man, and 
showed him how the arts of peace were cultivated, 
and of the friendship which existed between all 
the great people of the world. 

It must not be thought that the chief refrained 
from asking a great many questions during the 
course of their conversation. 

“Is the country you come from very large!” 

“It is more than two thousand times larger 
than all of this country.” 

“I do not know how much that is. Is it more 
than two hundred times greater!” 

“Yes, more than ten times that number.” 

The chief marveled at this statement. 


172 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


“And how many people are there V’ 

“I could not tell you, but so many you could not 
count them.” 

“And do you have many tribes in your coun- 
try r 

“No ; we have only one tribe.” 

All this was conveyed and expressed, not in the 
order given, but by careful explanations, and by 
counting the numbers with pebbles, as they bad 
no numbers beyond twenty which could be indi- 
cated by any words in their language. 

When the warriors were ready for the start, 
the Professor was surprised to find that the chief 
had prepared a litter, to be carried by four of 
the warriors. This was to be his carriage of 
state. He did not refuse to accept his place in it, 
as he knew that it would have been in bad taste, 
and he was the more gratified when he learned 
from the boys that it was the chiefs own litter. 

The cavalcade marched directly to the north, 
the speed being about three miles per hour. What 
a glorious reunion he anticipated with his boys 
and friends, for he had no fear of their ability to 
cope with the various tribes, unless all combined, 
and this he knew would be very unlikely. 

He had been careful to get from the chief an 
outline of the enmities and the feuds which ex- 
isted, and the knowledge of this would the better 
enable him to deal with the different ones when 
brought into contact with them. 

Ralsea, the sub-chief, was a powerful warrior, 
and the Professor found him a most agreeable 
man. In respect for his position, every order was 


WAGON IN THE FIGHTING ZONE 173 


a request made through him, and it was soon per- 
ceived that the deference which the Professor ex- 
tended, flattered him beyond measure. 

Thus, by a diplomatic policy, he made a friend 
of the next most powerful personage in the tribe. 
He took him into his confidence, and explained his 
plans in the best manner possible, to the great 
satisfaction of the native. 

Before the end of the day, an additional band 
of their own people came in from the north, with 
tidings of their defeat, and with them were a num- 
ber of wounded. The Professor was at their side 
at once, and began the work of ministering to 
their wounds. 

They learned of the action of the Kurabus, in 
attacking them in the rear, and joining with the 
Osagas to crush them. The Professor inquired 
if they had seen his own people, or had heard 
about them, and they replied that a wonderful 
people who had fought the Brabos and the Kura- 
bus, were traveling eastwardly into the Kurabus 
country, and that the latter were now pursuing 
them. 

Questioned whether the Saboros were also in 
league with them, the answer was, yes. It was 
thus probable that they had a force of fully two 
hundred to cope with, as it must be understood 
these tribes did not, except in the most urgent 
cases, put all their warriors in the field at one 
time. 

This would certainly be dangerous in the ex- 
treme, and consulting with Ralsea, he made the 
plans for proceeding against the allied tribes. 


174 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


There was no love between them and the Kurabus, 
hut there had been peace for a long time between 
the Berees and the Osagas, until the new chief 
took Uraso’s place. 

The allied forces were between John’s party 
and the Professor’s warriors. The defeat admin- 
istered by the combined forces would doubtless 
satisfy the Kurabus and Osagas that the Berees 
would not attack from that quarter. 

The plan outlined by the Professor was this: 

“The main fighting force of the Osagas is now 
in the north, and their villages are unprotected 
against such a force as they had. Our plan now 
is, to proceed as rapidly as possible to their vil- 
lages, and capture them.” 

“Yes ; and destroy them,” answered Ralsea. 

“By no means. We have more power with 
them, by preventing their destruction.” 

What manner of man was this, who would not 
destroy his enemies’ homes if they were put in 
his power! This was a new thing to him. 

“What would you gain by such a proceeding?” 

“If we made his women and children and all 
his goods captive they \tfould be powerless.” 

“But they would still be your enemies, and they 
would be the most bitter, and in order to crush 
you would unite with the Kurabus and others to 
wipe you out, would they not?” 

“You speak truly.” 

“My plan would be to hold them from harm, 
and to show them that we do not desire revenge, 
and gain them as our lasting friends.” 

The point was gained, and the course was im- 


WAGON IN THE FIGHTING ZONE 175 


mediately changed toward the country of the 
Osagas. 

“Do you think it would be possible for any of 
your warriors to pass through the country to the 
northwest, and inform my people that we are on 
the way to assist them?” 

Kalsea pondered for a time, and then said : “I 
have a brave man who can go anywhere that it 
is possible to go ; but if he is captured it will be 
death; and I will order him to go.” 

“No; do not order him to go. I do not want 
to risk the lives of any of the men.” 

“But I will order him to go.” 

“Before doing so let me talk with him.” 

The warrior was sent for, and wdien he ap- 
peared, the Professor smiled. He recognized him, 
as the leader of the party which had captured 
him. 

It did not require anyone to explain that this 
man was the ideal messenger, if his physique was 
any indication. He was the most speedy one in 
the tribe, and had never been outrun by any other 
on the island. He was the most handsome savage 
the Professor had seen. 

To this man he explained the need of informing 
his friends of their intentions, and if attacked to 
maintain their position at all hazards. That he 
was well aware of the risk attending such a mis- 
sion; that he did not wish to order him to go, 
but if he felt like undertaking the mission he would 
be rewarded whether he succeeded or failed, and 
if he succeeded it would be the means of making 
his people strong and powerful. 


176 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


The youth, for he was still a very young man, 
could hardly comprehend the character of such 
an order. It was so unlike anything he had known 
in his tribe. “I will go,” was all he said. 

There was no paper or other material of like 
character available, and the boys were called in 
by the Professor. “Can you find me any plan- 
tain leaves?” he asked. 

The boys were at a loss to know what the Pro- 
fessor meant. 

“Have you noticed what the Berees use to thatch 
their huts with?” 

“You mean the long and wide leaves?” 

“Oh, yes ; we saw plenty of them near here.” 

These were soon procured, long, fibrous, and 
strong. With a blunt instrument the Professor 
wrote the following message on the leaf : 

“If you are attacked hold out to last ex- 
tremity. I am coming to your assistance. The 
bearer, Sutoto, is our friend. Professor.” 

“Do you think they will be able to read that?” 
asked Will. 

“In a few moments you will see the message 
much plainer, as the texture of the leaf is crushed 
where I have gone over it with this instrument, 
and the lines will discolor the leaf.” 

It was then folded up, and the Professor took 
a portion of his coat, and made it up into a thin, 
compact package, which the messenger concealed 
in his clothing. The boys watched him disappear 
with wonderful speed, directly to the north. 

As this young man will be heard of frequently 
hereafter and take an important part in the his- 


WAGON IN THE FIGHTING ZONE 177 

tory of the boys, it should be stated that he had 
wonderful energy and intelligence, and was the 



P/ie Plantain. 


favorite of the great Chief Suros, the head of the 
Berees. 

“It is my opinion,” said John, addressing Muro, 
“that the lesson we gave the Brabos to-day will 


178 CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 

either make them our friends or the most bitter 
enemies.” 

Muro shook his head. “The Brabos are not 
good; they do not keep their word. They cheat 
and try to take everything away.” 

“The Kurabus are just the same, are they not?” 

“No ; the Kurabus are big fighters, but they do 
what they say.” 

“Do you know anything about the Osagas?” 

“My wife Osaga ; she was Osagas people. Osa- 
gas good, but like to fight.” 

“What do they fight about?” 

“Kurabus want more land for hunting. Osagas 
got best land. Berees and Osagas have best land 
for hunting.” 

“In whose territory are the big forests to the 
west?” 

“The Berees have the forest, and they have the 
big water, and the most trees with nuts and stalks 
like this,” and he pointed to the wild barley. 

“Are the Berees good people?” 

“They good, strong fighters; old chief; wise 
man. All like him but Kurabus. I take Berees ; 
let him go ; Berees take me ; Suros let me go.” 

“Who is Suros?” 

“Big chief of Berees.” 

“Are all the fights about the land?” 

“No; when one gets too much the other want 
it. If Saboros get captive, Kurabus want it ; when 
Kurabus get three or four captive, Brabos want 
some of them.” 

“Do they kill the captives?” 


WAGON IN THE FIGHTING ZONE 179 


“Yes; the Tuolos, and the Kurabus, and the 
Iliyas.” 

“Who are the Iliyas?” 

“Mean men; we can reach them; close to. Big 
fighters, and nobody likes them.” 

“Are they near the mountain?” he asked, point- 
ing to the east. 

He nodded an assent. Here, at last, were the 
people that John had long tried to find ont about. 

The wagon was slowly going to the southeast, 
and near noon John discovered, what appeared to 
be indications of moving objects. The wagon was 
halted, and all took observations. Muro was the 
first to break the silence. 

“Kurabus coming,” he said. 

“How do you know they are Kurabus?” asked 
Blakely. 

“Too many for Osagas.” It is obvious he had 
taken an inventory of both tribe? on the day of the 
battle. 

All looked to Muro. “Go this way fast,” he 
answered, as he pointed to the east. 

The yaks were driven up and the wagon directed 
toward all the depressed portions and valleys, so 
as to keep it in a concealed position as much as 
possible. A moving object like a wagon is much 
easier to distinguish than even a body of men, at 
a distance. 

Before they had traveled a mile they were as- 
tounded to see another band of warriors directly 
ahead of them, and moving from the east. Muro 
suggested that, they should call a halt, and 
determine who the newcomers could be, and also 


180 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


to learn their destination and object, in going to- 
ward the Kurabus, who were advancing from the 
southwest. 

“ Are you able to make out who they are V ' 9 asked 
John. 

“Maybe Saboro,” and without another word he 
darted forward in the direction of the oncoming 
host. 

This intelligence stimulated the boys, and they 
danced about in delight at the probability of this 
being true. Stut had probably reached the tribe 
at last. 

They were doomed to disappointment, however, 
for when Muro returned with the intelligence that 
it was either the Brabos or the Ulyas, but he 
knew they were not his people. 

“What would the Brabos be doing in that direc- 
tion ?” asked John. 

“Probably come from Kurabu village, and more 
Brabos up this way.” 

Properly translated this means, that the Bra- 
bos, during the absence of the Kurabus, had at- 
tacked the latter village, with one portion of their 
band, and that the other part had gone to the 
west to intercept the Kurabus from attacking in 
that direction. 

“If you are correct, we are right in the center 
of the place where the three parties will meet,” 
said John. 

Muro nodded and continued : “May be Osagas 
coming.” 

“Would they come from that direction?” 

Muro again replied affirmatively. The only 


WAGON IN THE FIGHTING ZONE 181 


direction now open was to the north. “What shall 
we do?” asked Blakely. 

“Fight!” was John’s laconic reply. 

An open place was selected, near a stream, and 
the fort erected within a few minutes after the 
halt was made. 


CHAPTEE XV 


URASO CAPTURED BY THE BEREES. WELCOMED BY THE 
PROFESSOR 

The Professor and his party halted within the 
boundaries of the Osagas’ territory. The next 
day the principal village would be reached. This 
was the day before the last incident recorded in 
the previous chapter. 

When they approached the vicinity of the vil- 
lage, it was only too apparent that the warriors 
had gone, and it was but the work of a few min- 
utes to surround it, to find the women, children and 
the aged and infirm, huddled together in the vari- 
ous huts, in consternation at what must be their 
fate. 

They were gathered together, and the Profes- 
sor addressed them through Ealsea : “We have not 
come here to make war on you, and you will be 
left here. We want to be your friends. Tell us 
where your warriors have gone.” 

An old man came forward and said: “You look 
like a white man who took our chief Uraso and 
killed him. We felt bitter, and agreed with the 
Kurabus to find you and be revenged. But the 
Saboros wanted to go, too, and that would be too 
many to take the white man’s things, and before 
we knew it the Saboros and the Kurabus went to 
find you.” 


182 


URASO CAPTURED BY BEREES 183 


“Who told you that the white man had killed 
Uraso I” 

“When the Kurabus and the Osagas had a fight 
in the north moons ago the white man took Uraso. 
The Osagas sent scouts all over the land, and 
found where the white man had his village, and 
could not see Uraso, and they knew he had been 
sacrificed. This was confirmed when, after the 
white man had captured one of the wounded Ku- 
rabus, and set him free, because the Kurabu said 
that he was not in the village.” 

“I am the man,” said the Professor, “who took 
Uraso ; we did not kill him, as we do not believe 
in killing captives. We cured him, and gave him 
a repa (a bolo), and he ran away from us.” 

The old man listened with astonishment as Ral- 
sea translated the words. Then turning to the sub- 
chief, he asked whether the white man had many 
warriors. The Professor understood, and with- 
out waiting for Ralsea to interpret the question, 
answered : 

“We have many, many times more people than 
you have- in all this land, and we have wonderful 
reckas (weapons), but we want to be friends, and 
not enemies.” 

The old man then said that the warriors were 
now in the north, and that the last band had gone 
there the day before to try and capture the trav- 
eling murka (wagon) which the white men had. 

This information was sufficiently startling to 
determine the Professor to act at once; so turn- 
ing to Ralsea he spoke as follows: 

“We must try and prevent the Osagas from 


184 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


attacking my people. They will resist, and many 
of them will be killed. Let us go at once with the 
warriors.” 

This was the most remarkable event which had 
ever taken place in the lives of these people — it 
was the first time that a hostile tribe had ever 
taken a village and not exacted a tribute. It was 
too astonishing for their comprehension. 

The Professor and his party had no idea that 
John and the boys had directed the course of the 
wagon eastwardly, and were, therefore, at that 
time in the Kurabu territory fully ten miles east 
of the point where he hoped to find them. 

For the present the most important thing was 
to follow the Osagas, and halt them from attack- 
ing, so the column was hurried forward, directly 
to the north in the trail of the fighters in the hope 
that they might be overtaken before the next morn- 
ing. 

While this was going on John and the boys 
were preparing for the fight of their lives. They 
were determined on forcing their way through 
the hostile forces. The two bands were coming 
forward at a rapid rate, and they saw them unite 
without any hostile exhibitions. 

The parties had joined for some purpose, which 
was not then apparent, as neither of the factions 
could have known of the presence of the wagon 
before them. There was no movement for fully 
an hour, due doubtless to consultations upon the 
subject at hand. 

About two o’clock the combined column was set 
in motion, and it was noticed that the two tribes, 


URASO CAPTURED BY BEREES 185 


while inarching toward them, along parallel lines, 
were separated from each other. John called 
Muro’s attention to this. He replied : 

“That is the custom here with all tribes. They 
will not mix up when on the march. Each tribe 
keeps by itself.” 

“Why is that!” 

“The wise men say the arrows will not go 
straight.” 

Blakely, who heard this conversation, said: “I 
know just what he means by that. I got an inkling 
of that on one occasion. I put it in this way: 
They are mighty distrustful, and as a result are 
compelled to keep an eye on each other. This 
prevents them from shooting accurately, or with 
care.” 

This incident of the two tribes moving side by 
side conveyed another meaning, also, to Muro, 
for he continued, after Blakely concluded : 

“The ones over there,” pointing to the left, “are 
Ulyas, I know.” 

This was determined, as he afterwards ex- 
pressed it, because they are always suspicious, and 
were never known to mingle with the other tribes. 

“But what are they doing in this section of the 
country!” 

“That I do not understand. Maybe to recover 
captives, or something of that kind.” 

The two bands approached without any expec- 
tation of meeting the whites. That was evident. 
In any event it would have been impossible for the 
wagon to get away, because the country was too 


186 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


open to shield them. They had only to hope that 
by some fortune they would not be revealed. 

The wagon had been put in position, as stated, 
in the open, so that such a party, coming within a 
quarter of a mile, would be likely to catch sight 
of it. The hope of being undiscovered was very 
faint. 

To their delight the party passed along fully 
that distance away, and did not show any alarm, 
but as the last of the column of the Iliyas was 
passing from sight there was a commotion, and 
the entire column turned to face them. 

This was the signal for the JCurabus, who filed 
to the left and danced about like demons at the 
sight of the wagon, and the peculiar enclosure at 
one side, which was immediately recognized by 
them. 

The occupants of the fort showed no sign. 
“Keep cool, boys, and fire steadily, when we once 
commence. Have all the ammunition in ready 
reach, and merely fire and reload. Observe our 
former method. We must keep the reserve guns 
for an emergency.” 

The information was imparted to Muro and his 
companions, and each had a gun in hand and 
another by his side, loaded and ready for use. 
Both had been instructed daily in the manner of 
loading and of aiming, but they had done no fir- 
ing, owing to the dangerous proximity of their 
enemies. 

Muro and his friend were impatient beyond 
measure. They had the opportunity so long craved 
to attack their bitter enemies. 


URASO CAPTURED BY BEREES 187 

The Kurabus circled around the wagon to the 
left and the Iliyas to the right. At a signal there 
was a shower of arrows, all of which fell short, 
but contrary to expectations, did not follow it with 
a concerted rush. Instead they advanced nearer ; 
and the second volley of arrows was sent forth; 
and some of them found their marks in the fort, 
and two struck the wagon. 

John saw Muro’s appealing look. The latter 
pointed to the group of Iliyas, and said: “Chief; 
see big man, this side.” 

John replied: “Can yoil hit him?” 

Muro did not wait for a stronger invitation, 
and John drew back the firing hammer for him, 
and told him to take a careful aim, as he had 
been instructed. He did this with the utmost 
deliberation, in the coolest and most matter-of-fact 
wav. 

He fired. The chief threw up his hands and fell 
backward, while the warriors crowded about him 
and began to set up a demoniacal howl. 

“Now, boys, that is a good target to fire into,” 
muttered John. “Ready — fire!” Six shots more 
found their marks in the congested mass. How 
many fell it was impossible to say in the confusion 
produced by the volley. 

“Reload, and be ready for the next.” 

The first impulse of the savages was to rush 
for shelter, and thus left their dead and wounded 
where they fell. But the chiefs body was there, 
and several rushed forward and recovered him, 
without molestation on the part of John. 

When the warriors fled they had an opportunity 


188 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


to see the result of the volley. The six shots had 
wounded eight, more or less; how many of them 
were killed could not be determined at the time. 

All the besiegers now withdrew to a safe dis- 
tance. It was obvious to them that their arrows 
were not of sufficient range to compete with the 
wonderful weapons possessed by the whites. Sev- 
eral warriors crawled up to the nearest bunches 
of shrubbery, and they were permitted to do so, 
but when once in their supposed concealed posi 
tions were close enough, so that it was no trouble 
in reaching them with the guns. 

The effect of Muro’s shot was so exhilarat- 
ing that he danced about the enclosure with ex- 
pressions of joy. The boys patted him on the 
back, and applauded him for the masterly manner 
in which he had executed the first shot. 

Two hours passed by, and it did not seem possi- 
ble that they would attempt to rush the fort. Con- 
sidering that there were fully two hundred war- 
riors about them, such tactics, if pushed with 
vigor, must have resulted in the annihilation of 
the occupants of the fort. But the savages were 
wary. The Ulyas had now a taste of the same 
medicine that the Kurabus had taken to their dis- 
gust. 

Before evening the two forces disposed them- 
selves around the fort, and the night set in w T ith a 
slight shower. Muro chuckled at this, and when 
questioned, responded : “Cannot use bows,” and he 
smiled. 

The rain increased, and as there was now no 
cover for the wagon, all were drenched. The dark- 


URASO CAPTURED BY BEREES 189 


ess was intense, and the vigil was a constant 
one, occupying the attention of all. Mnro stated 
that neither of the parties would attempt an at- 
tack in that condition, but they must be alert to 
resist any daredevils who might approach for 
the purpose of picking off one or more of their 
number. 

Shortly after midnight a peculiar voice was 
heard, calling “John, John.” They listened. “Did 
some one call me?” asked John. 

“Yes; we heard it!” exclaimed several of the 
boys. 

“John, John,” the voice repeated, and they de- 
tected a scratching on the wall of the fort. John 
sprang over to the side from which the sound ema- 
nated, and saw a figure crouching close to the 
ground, alongside of the fort. 

“I am John; what do you want?” 

A hand was held up containing an object, and 
John caught it, and drew it in. It was some- 
thing in fabric, and tied with a cord. The dark- 
ness was too intense to distinguish its character, 
but John cut the cord and a leaf fell out. 

“Here is some news,” he cried. “Get a light 
quickly.” One of the matches was produced, and 
held close to the leaf. The writing could not be 
distinguished by the momentary gleam, which 
shot forth, but the signature, “Professor,” caught 
the eye of Harry, who held the match. 

“It is from the Professor,” he exclaimed ex- 
citedly, and he jumped up and peered over the top 
wall, and seeing the object still there, reached 
down, and recognized a savage, who held up his 


190 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


hand. Harry grasped it, and, calling to the others, 
said: “Help him in.” 

The savage made no resistance, but assisted the 
others to draw him in. Mnro recognized him as 
one of the Berees, and quickly asked: “Why are 
you here V 9 

“I came from the great White Chief.” 

“Where is he!” 



on part - of a PZaintairt leaf. JZ6o 
^housing ii6 beautiful fibre . 


/<£ 

“Coming from the south, with all my people.” 

When this was translated to them the boys were 
wild with the news. 

“Be quiet, boys ; make no demonstration. If it 
is not too wet, strike another light. There! 
steady !” 

“What does it say!” was the eager question. 

“If you are attacked hold out to last extrem- 
ity. I am coming to your assistance. The bearer, 
Sutoto, is our friend.” 

Muro questioned him as John propounded the 
inquiries. 


URASO CAPTURED BY BEREES 191 


“Did your people capture the White Chief?” 

“I took him in the hills to the west of this 
place.” 

“You captured him?” 

“Yes; I took him to the chief, and he made the 
chiefs daughter well. The chief told us he was a 
great man, and that he was forever his friend, 
and when our warriors came back from the fight 
he cured them, but he would not eat, and all our 
people marveled at this, and believed him to be 
a superior being, and the chief imprisoned all our 
medicine men.” 

“Where is he now ?” 

“Coming to us with all the warriors of my peo- 
ple, and with the two purees (boys) which we 
had” 

“Purees? What does he mean?” 

And Muro pointed to the boys. 

“How did you get in to us ?” 

“I was with the people outside when it began to 
rain, and came up to the kramin (bush) close to 
you. I was here long time.” 

“George, get Sutoto something to eat; he must 
be hungry.” And this was speedily attended to. 

When the morning sun arose bright and beau- 
tiful it was a welcome relief to the misery of the 
night. The boys now had an opportunity to ex- 
amine their new friend. They marveled at his 
youth. But he was evidently well known to Muro. 
They talked long and earnestly, and the latter re- 
counted their experiences. 

Chump told him about the wonders of the Cata- 
ract house, and of the remarkable things to be 


192 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


seen there. He looked at the fort and examined 
the wagon, and the things possessed a remarkable 
fascination for him. He was a second edition of 
George in the capacity to ask questions. 

Muro explained that Sutoto was the fleetest run- 
ner in the country, and his finely shaped limbs 
and admirable poise of his head was admired by 
all. He eyed Blakely for some time, and the lat- 
ter held out his hand. Sutoto grasped it, and as 
they held each other’s hand, said: “ I think you 
ought to remember me. I was one of your guests 
for a little time.” And he laughed, as did Sutoto. 

The scene in that wagon for the next few hours 
was like a reunion of long-lost friends. The boys 
admired Sutoto’s manly ways, and even Ralph, 
who often said he had no use for any of the dev- 
ils, admitted that he would have to change his 
mind. 

While all this drama was being enacted the Pro- 
fessor was hurrying to the north as fast as 
the warriors could travel. The Professor sug- 
gested that as they were now approaching the 
enemy’s country it would be wise to send out ad- 
vance guards. 

This was a novel proceeding to Ralsea, but he 
readily assented, and four of the most skillful were 
given instructions to keep well ahead and note 
every movement. It was most fortunate that this 
was done for reasons we shall now see. 

Before noon the scouts discovered a lurking sav- 
age, and as he was trying to get away a number 
of others were sent out, so their movements radi- 


UEASO CAPTURED BY BEREES 193 


a ted out like a fan, and in this manner the fugi- 
tive was hemmed in and finally captured. 

He was brought in by the most wildly excited 
and gesticulating lot of savages the Professor 
had ever witnessed. This appeared to be a more 
than ordinary event with them, and he could not 
understand it. 

Before they were near he heard the cries of 
“Osaga, Osaga,” and the Professor was startled 
in the belief that they had come up with the band 
they were pursuing. 

The captive was brought before the Professor, 
and the moment he looked at him cried out, “Ura- 
so.” For a moment he was too much affected to 
speak. Uraso went up to the Professor and em- 
braced him, and then looked around at the Berees 
in astonishment. 

Here was the Professor, carried by the Berees, 
not as a prisoner, but as an individual in state, 
with the warriors under his command. He could 
not understand the situation. 

“Didn’t we treat you right, Uraso ?” 

“I tried to go back to my people and bring them 
to you. The Ulyas captured me, and now that 
they have allied themselves with the Kurabus, in- 
tended to attack and capture you.” 

“Have you been with them all this time?” 

“No, when they first tried to capture me I was 
badly wounded, so that for a long time I could 
not walk, and when I was well enough, two moons 
ago, they did take me.” 

“Your people have gone to attack my people 
in the wagon.” 


194 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


“Osaga could not credit this. His brow dark- 
ened, and his anger was terrible to witness.” 

Ralsea assured him that such was the case, and 
then told him that they had just come from the 
Osaga village. At this information he grew in- 
dignant, and cast a reproachful glance at the Pro- 
fessor. The sub-chief quickly informed him of the 
Professor’s acts, in refusing to permit anything 
to be disturbed at the village. 

“He is a great chief,” said Uraso, addressing 
Ralsea. “I saw the wonderful things he has at 
his village, and I want him to teach my people the 
things they do.” 

“You must go with us, Uraso ; we must find your 
warriors before they attack John and the boys.” 

“John, John,” and he repeated over the name 
again and again. His face lighted up. 

“I will go ; my people shall not injure you. We 
are your friends.” 

He was then informed that Muro, the chief of 
the Saboros, was also with John. 

“Muro? My sister is his wife.” This news 
made him dance with joy. He rushed up to the 
Professor and again embraced him, and then went 
to Ralsea and rubbed his nose against him, in 
token of friendship and peace between their peo- 
ple. 


CHAPTER XVI 


A PERPLEXING MIX-UP 

Muro turned to John and Sutoto and quietly 
said : “They are preparing to attack us.” Sutoto 
looked at the guns and John divined his meaning 
glance. Taking one of the guns he gave it to 
Muro and requested him to explain its use. 

Like many of the natives he had heard of the 
wonderful weapons, but this was the first oppor- 
tunity to see and handle one of them. John told 
him it was his gun, and a smile lit up his face. 
The method of loading it; the putting on of the 
cap; the manner in which the firing plug was 
drawn back, and the firing of the piece by the 
pulling of the trigger were soon grasped by him. 

The sights were being explained, when John 
called Muro’s attention to a moving object in the 
distance directly to the north. Sutoto noted the 
hand pointing in that direction, and casting a 
glance, instantly cried out : “Brabos !” 

His keen eyesight saw what none of the others 
recognized. John turned to Muro: “I now see 
why he is such a remarkable messenger. A won- 
derfully keen sight, and a swift runner.” 

To this Muro nodded a quick assent. “Kura- 
bus to the southwest; Iliyas to the southeast, and 
Brabos to the north. Well, this is a fine combi- 
nation on the chessboard,” was Blakely’s sum- 
ming up of the situation. 

195 


196 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


“But are not the Brabos at war with the Kura- 
busf” asked Harry. 

“No doubt they are ; but I imagine they are after 
us at this particular time. Remember we attacked, 
or rather their party attacked us three days ago. 
They are sending us an answer,” said John. 

“If I am not mistaken there will be the most 
terrible mix-up this island has ever witnessed.” 
And Blakely danced around as though he en- 
joyed the prospect. Evidently the besiegers had 
not noticed the approach of the new element from 
the north, for they were now preparing to renew 
the combat. 

New positions were taken, and the constant com- 
munications between the two tribes were witnessed 
by the little party within the fort. At a signal 
the attacking parties advanced from all directions. 
John and Sutoto were on the south side; Harry 
and Tom on the north side in the wagon; Muro, 
Ralph and Chump on the east, and George and 
Blakely on the west side. 

Thus eight guns were in the hands of the de- 
fenders, leaving twenty guns as reserves. As be- 
fore, they approached close enough to discharge 
their arrows, and then began the grand rush. 

“Take careful aim and tire,” cried John. The 
volley came like a crash. They were stunned. 

“Reload, and keep cool,” came the second com- 
mand. The party halted, and the indecision was 
long enough to gain time for the second shot, be- 
fore they recovered and began the second con- 
certed action. 

“They are coming again ; fire as rapidly as you 


PERPLEXING MIX-UP 197 

can and follow it up with one of the reserve 
guns.” 

The third shot came when they were within 
fifty feet of the wagon, and at this distance every 
shot counted. 

“Let one reload and the other fire, and make 
every shot count.” 

John was in earnest now. One shot now fol- 
lowed the other, and the warriors could not un- 
derstand it. Without an order they turned and 
fled beyond reach of the bullets. 

The sight within the fort was now indescribable. 
Sutoto danced about, hugging his gun. He went 
up to the boys, and crawled into the wagon, and in 
every imaginable way expressed his delight. A boy 
with a new toy could not have shown greater pleas- 
ure. The boys enjoyed themselves watching him. 

But it was a sad day for the Kurabus and the 
Iliyas. The latter had suffered by far the most. 
But where were the Brabos by this time? They 
had heard the noise of the battle, and at the last 
volley were within a half mile of the scene and 
hurried forward rapidly. 

The hosts beyond the wagon had not yet dis- 
covered their approach, and after the retreat the 
chiefs of the contending forces gathered in con- 
sultation. But soon there was an uproar. The 
Brabos had been detected, and a new movement 
was discerned. The latter saw the conflict, and 
readily learned who the participants were. They 
had before them their two bitterest tribes, and the 
whites were their enemies as well. 

They made no movement, however, which 


198 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


showed fear of their enemies, though greatly out- 
numbered. For a half hour they remained at a 
safe distance, and the other forces did not under- 
take to attack them. 

Muro turned to John. “They are afraid to at- 
tack the Brabos while we are here.” That ex- 
plained the situation. 

Suddenly the Brabos started to the east, and 
then turned to the south. The attacking parties 
saw the movement, and an intense commotion re- 
sulted. John mounted the wagon top to get a 
better view, and Muro followed him. What could 
be their object in thus getting to the south of their 
enemies ? 

“I told you we would have some strange moves 
on this chessboard,” exclaimed Blakely, without 
taking his eyes off the Brabos. Then the next 
strange movement took place. The Iliyas started 
in pursuit of them, leaving the Kurabus on guard. 

“We might as well continue to take a hand in 
this,” quickly answered John, as he turned to 
Muro, and spoke a few words. 

The Kurabus were to the west, and at the com- 
mand of John, the fort section on the east side 
was pushed aside nearest the wagon, and each 
with an extra gun sallied out, taking a direction 
toward the south of the Kurabus. 

“Drive them to the west and separate them 
from their allies,” was his command. 

The sudden appearance of the besieged force dis- 
concerted the Kurabus, who slowly at first fell 
back, but as the whites now rushed on, despite the 
overwhelming force in their front, they finally 


PERPLEXING MIX-UP 199 

broke and fled, before the party had time to fire 
a single shot. 

“Not too far, boys. The wagon is unprotected. ,, 

This called them to a halt, and as they ran back 
to the wagon Sntoto pointed to the south at the 
Iliyas and Brabos maneuvering for an attack. Su- 
toto took his place on the wagon top and observed 
the Kurabus. When they saw the pursuit had 
ended they stopped, and began a movement to the 
north. 

At four in the afternoon of that day the Pro- 
fessor and his party were moving along to the 
north as fast as the warriors could travel, and 
he himself was on foot, and urging them to make 
haste. 

A sudden boom came from the north, and the 
Professor stopped in startled surprise. The boys 
ran to him, and the warriors, who had recognized 
the sound before, gathered around him. 

Uraso was the first to recover from the shock. 
“They have met and are fighting. I know what 
that means.” 

“Forward, forward,” cried the Professor. 
“W r ait for nothing. Uraso, go; go quickly, and 
stop them.” 

Uraso started like a shot, followed by Ralsea 
and several of the fleetest warriors. As the sub- 
chief sprang forward he called out to his men: 
“Remain here with the White Chief, and follow as 
fast as you are able to.” 

They fairly flew to the front. The firing con- 
tinued ; the second and the third volleys rang out. 
W r ould they never stop ? The Professor knew what 


200 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


execution they were capable of, and that John 
would not permit them to tire recklessly. The sub- 
chief had not gone an hour before the scouts to 
the west came in hurriedly and reported that a 
tribe had appeared to their left. 

“Who Can they be?” asked the Professor. 
“Have we been discovered?” The scouts could 
not inform him. “Keep on, and move to the right,” 
were his orders, and they hurried forward with 
greater celerity, in the effort to avoid the band. 

“How many are there?” asked the Professor. 

“About a hundred, but of this we are not sure.” 

Night came on, and still there was no news from 
the firing line. 

“What can all this mean?” said the Professor to 
the boys. The firing had ceased long before, but 
the mystery of the non-appearance of Uraso and 
Ralsea could not be accounted for. 

About nine o’clock a commotion in the camp 
announced the appearance of a messenger from 
Uraso. “My people not fighting your people. Ili- 
yas and Brabos ready to fight.” 

Where were the Osagas? and with whom were 
John and party engaged? The night was dark, 
so that it was difficult to make any attempt at a 
forward movement, and they impatiently awaited 
news from the two chiefs. 

Will and Jim were with the Professor constant- 
ly, and the latter referred to the remarkable exhi- 
bitions of feelings expressed by the Chief Uraso 
during the exciting events of the day. 

“I always thought,” said Jim, “that a great 
many people at home show their excitement when 


PERPLEXING MIX-UP 


201 


anything happens, bnt it is nothing compared with 
the savages here. Yon can tell when anything 
unusual happens with them a mile off.” 

“The matter of expressing feeling or emotion by 
physical expressions has characteristic national 
traits. Among civilized people the French show 
the most intense actions physically, while the Ger- 
man is the most voluble. The Italians can cast 
the darkest frown, and the Turks are the least 
affected outwardly. The Englishman is always 
cool and collected. John Bull is shown typically 
as a cautious, self-satisfied individual, and Uncle 
Sam is always pictured in the European comic as 
the alert character.” 

“We noticed a big difference between two of 
the tribes here. The Saboros are a very quick peo- 
ple; quick in their actions, and will take offense 
readily. The Sebrees are much slower, and show 
sympathy or any excitement more slowly.” 

“I w T as told by Uraso, the Osaga chief,” re- 
sponded the Professor, “that he could distinguish 
his foes, when all other tests failed, by their man- 
ner of gesticulating, or in their movements, and 
this explains why, at great distances, they are so 
frequently able to distinguish people, when they 
are so far distant that their dress does not be- 
tray them.” 

“It is wonderful how the people here, ignorant 
as they are, will observe little things.” 

“Yes; a wise man may know little, and a fool 
much.” 

The hoys laughed at the remark. “Well, isn’t 
a wise man the one who knows the most?” 


202 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


“By no means. A man may have read and read 
all his life, and not be able to utilize any of the 
things he has crammed himself with. The most 
valuable thing to man is the ability to utilize what 
comes to him. The common mistake of people is 
endeavoring to learn too much. The proper course 
in which education should be directed is to grasp 
the value of observation.” 

When morning came the scouts reported a tribe 
of warriors to their left. Neither Ralsea nor Ura- 
so had returned, but a messenger came in very 
early in the morning with the news that they 
awaited the result of the conflict between the 
Brabos and the Iliyas. 

“Can you ascertain who the people are to the 
west of us!” 

“No; but the scouts are now in that direction, 
and we may soon be able to tell you.” 

“Send some messenger forward to find Uraso 
and Ralsea, and inform them of the force at our 
left.” 

A runner was dispatched in all haste. When 
Uraso and Ralsea went forward the night before, 
they had with them two of the fleetest runners 
in the tribe, and they took a course immediately 
to the north, and in the direction of the firing, 
avoiding the Brabos who were in their front. 

It will be remembered that when the Brabos 
left the vicinity of the wagon, they went to the 
south, and then proceeded westwardly, before the 
Ulyas came up. The direct line of the march of 
the two chiefs was, therefore, to the east of the 
Brabos, and as the latter continued to the west 


PERPLEXING MIX-UP 203 

in their movement, they were obliged to go to the 
east to escape them. 

“Who are the warriors coming from the west?” 
asked Ralsea. 

“They look like the Iliyas,” answered Uraso. 

Moving farther to the north, this was found to 
be true. 

“Your people are not here,” said Ealsea. 

“Then they must be to the north,” answered 
Uraso. 

It was evident that the Osagas had not been in 
the fight with the people in the wagon; but what 
did this array of forces mean, after the late fight? 

Ealsea at once sent the messenger which ar- 
rived the night before, as stated, and the chiefs 
and remaining runner at once started for the 
north. 

After the Kurabus had been scattered by the 
charge which John had conducted they circled 
around to the north, and afterwards went east 
and then south, thus completely encircling the 
wagon. Of this John and his associates had no 
knowledge. This tribe was, therefore, going 
south, in the attempt to assist their late allies in 
the fight with the Brabos. 

When Ealsea and Uraso struck out for the 
north, in the hope that they would find the Osagas 
in that quarter, they ran into the Kurabus, who 
at once started in pursuit. The chiefs could not 
go to the south nor to the west, and their only line 
of retreat was to the east. 

John ahd his companions knew that the Brabos 
and the Iliyas were to the southwest and sup- 


204 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


posed that the Kurabus were to the north, and 
the most natural thing under the circumstances 



was to move to the southeast, as the route to 
Muro’s country was now clear. 

The wagon was set in motion as fast as it could 


PEBPLEXING MIX-UP 


205 


be driven, and within an hour Muro discovered a 
band ahead, and as it was a large one, and was 
moving to the southwest, he could not account 
for it. 

With his gun he went forward while the wagon 
was halted, and soon came back with the intelli- 
gence that the Kurabus had circled their position, 
and were heading in the direction of the two war- 
ring forces. 

It thus seemed that at every turn, some unfor- 
tunate element would bar their progress. John 
considered the situation from every standpoint, 
and in the consultations with Muro, decided that 
it would be unwise to remain in the present posi- 
tion, as the results of the battle could not long 
be in doubt, with the two forces arrayed against 
the Brabos. 

It would mean, either that the Brabos would 
be captured, en masse, or they would be driven 
eastwardly, and thus again bring the two forces 
against them. Where were the Saboros? Stut 
must have failed to reach his tribe. This was now 
apparent, and no hope was expected from that 
quarter. The situation was indeed desperate. 

To add to their perplexities, not one thing had 
been learned from the Professor and his party 
since the arrival of Sutoto. The latter affirmed 
that they should now be in that vicinity, unless 
they took a more westerly route. He knew they 
intended to go first to the Osaga village, and then 
follow up the warriors from that tribe. 

These reasons made an entire change in the de- 
cisions of John and Muro. Why not take the route 


206 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


to the west, and thus avoid both of the tribes, and 
assure them of a much quicker flight to the south, 
although it took them away from Muro’s country. 

The wagon was headed due west, the object 
being to reach the river and thus move down its 
banks, until they reached the 0 sagas’ country, 
where Muro believed they would find shelter. 
They avoided the battle-ground which the Kura- 
bus and Iliyas occupied on one side, and the 
Brabos on the other side, the Brabos being to 
the southwest of the other forces. 

This position was such, that as the two forces 
would, undoubtedly, quickly defeat the Brabos, 
who were not aware of the presence of the Ulvas, 
the rout and the direction of the flight would be 
to the southeast, and the trail along the river 
would be left free from any enemies. 

When the last messenger came from Uraso, 
stating that the Ulyas and Brabos were maneu- 
vering for a fight, and that they would await the 
result of that issue, he and Ralsea had not dis- 
covered the presence of the Kurabus. 

The positions of the hostile forces, with the 
Ulyas to the west and the Brabos to the south- 
east, with the Kurabus coming from the northeast, 
made the situation a difficult one for them to de- 
termine. Were the Kurabus on the way to aid 
the Brabos or the Ulyas'? 

If they knew this they would be able to decide, 
just as Muro did, what direction would be the 
safest to go. Their only course was to escape 
the Kurabus, and then follow up their movements. 

This description of the maneuvers will explain 


PERPLEXING MIX-UP 


207 


why the Professor did not get a messenger dur- 
ing the entire day, and he waited with the war- 
riors, who watched the tribe to the west, nntil 
late in the afternoon, when the scouts reported 
that they had disappeared. 

If the Professor had known that this tribe to 
the west was the Osagas, as was really the case, 
the settlement of all their troubles would have 
been more speedy, but they had no means of learn- 
ing this, and the Osagas were much more intent, 
at this time, in watching the movements of the 
Iliyas and the Kurabus. 


CHAPTER XVII 


THE SABOROS COMING TO THE RESCUE 

Muro had just returned to the wagon from his 
position in the front, and John met him, as he 
expected some news from his actions. 

“The Kurabus have joined the Iliyas.” 

“In which direction did the Kurabus come up?” 

“From the northeast.” 

“Where are the Brabos?” 

“Directly to the south of the Iliyas.” 

“Do you think we had better go on?” 

“No ; we better wait until fight over.” 

“Why do you think so? The Brabos are sure 
to be beaten.” 

“The other tribes will go northeast to find us, 
and will leave this side free.”- 

Muro’s philosophy was now apparent. The 
wagon had been moved a long distance westwardly 
from the place where the Kurabus last saw it, 
and the presumption was that they would return 
to that position to look for it, and thus give an 
opportunity to make their escape. 

It was certainly a well-devised scheme to outwit 
their enemies, but the best-laid plans come to 
nought where all the elements are not known. 

“We might go a mile down the river, and reach 
the hill over there,” said Muro, pointing to the 
south. 


SABOROS TO THE RESCUE 209 


“That will bring ns about west of the battle- 
ground.” 

“Yes. 

In a half hour the wagon reached the spot indi- 
cated, and the hill gave them a much better view 
of the conflict, and, besides, it afforded an opportu- 
nity to escape either by the north or the south, and 
the fort sections also furnished a means, in an 
emergency, to cross the river on their right. 

The forces were now in position, and were both 
striving to outwit each other. They maneuvered 
back and forth for fully an hour. 

“The Brabos do not know the Kurabus are with 
the Iliyas,” said Muro. 

“Why do you think so?” 

“Because they are too confident.” 

“How many warriors have the Brabos?” 

“One hundred and thirty.” 

“And how many do you think the others have 
all together?” 

• “About a hundred and seventy-five, or likely 
more.” 

Suddenly the combined forces began the charge, 
first with the shower of arrows, followed by the 
usual rush. 

“The Brabos are holding their ground,” ex- 
claimed Muro. 

“But the Iliyas will be too much for them,” re- 
marked Sutoto. 

“Yes; they will win in the end.” 

“But how well they are holding their line.” 

“See, the Kurabus are advancing,” remarked 
John. 


210 


CAPTUEE AND PUESUIT 


“They are trying to get around them,” ventured 
Harry. 

“They won’t keep that up long,” said Sutoto. 

Nor did they. For some reason the position of 
the Iliyas was turned. 

“What is that from the south?” asked Sutoto, 
as he drew himself up to a more advantageous 
position. 

“They are Osagas,” exclaimed Ralph. 

“There is a movement to the southeast ; do you 
see it?” asked Sutoto. 

“I see it plainly now,” answered John. 

“There is another tribe there,” excitedly shouted 
Ralph. 

“Are you sure?” said John. 

“It does appear so ; yes, you are right ; a column 
is coming up.” 

“Who are they?” asked Harry. 

“Possibly they are the Saboros,” responded 
George. 

Muro shook his head despairingly. 

“It must be the Professor and his party,” ex- 
claimed Blakely. 

“Hurrah, if it is,” cried Tom. “Won’t that give 
us a chance?” 

“I wonder who they are going to help ?” 

“Why, don’t you see, Harry, they are coming up 
behind the Brabos, and the latter see them now.” 

“Yes ; they will side with the Brabos.” 

“How many can you see ?” 

Sutoto looked for a time, before answering: 
“About seventy-five or more.” 

“Then it must be your people,” said John. 


SABOROS TO THE RESCUE 211 

“I do not think so, as they would not be so far 
west.” 

“They are, most likely, the Osagas,” was John’s 
comment. 

“What is your reason for the conclusion!” asked 
Blakely. 

“First, because it would be the natural direc- 
tion for them to come; and second, the size of the 
band would be much greater were they Saboros.” 

“The white man is right. Berees would not 
come along the river from Osaga village, nor would 
Saboros come that way.” 

But some unusual movement was on foot, judg- 
ing from the excitement now discernible in the 
ranks of the Iliyas. 

“The Ulyas are being driven back.” 

“They have discovered the new tribe. See them 
trying to hold their positions.” 

“The Kurabus are in just as bad shape.” 

“But they are really driving the Brabos for- 
wardly.” 

“That is only temporary, however. See; the 
Brabos and the new warriors are after them 
again.” 

Back and forth the combatants surged. The 
noise of the conflict, which consisted mainly in 
the shouting and the shrieking, was plainly heard 
at the wagon. 

“How I would like to take a hand,” said John, 
without taking his eyes off the fighters. 

Muro looked at John. “I would like to go.” 
John looked around. 

Blakely shook his head. “It would be unwise 


212 CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 

to mix up in their troubles, as we have enough of 
our own” 

“I should not think of doing it out of pleasure, 
or to gratify a spite, as I have neither of the de- 
sires, and it occurred to me a little while ago, 
that if we wiped out the Kurabus and the Iliyas 
we would have pretty easy sailing with the 
Brabos.” 

“That is to be considered,” said Blakely. 

The unexpected reinforcements which the Bra- 
bos got, was the turning point in their fortunes. 
It was a hotly contested struggle, judged from the 
standard of island warfare. 

“The Kurabus and Iliyas are being licked,” 
cried out George. 

“Good for the Brabos.” 

“But won’t they come this way?” 

“This seems possible, as they are making a 
pretty clean sweep.” 

The force assisting the Brabos now made its 
way around to the right of the 'Iliyas, and it was 
soon evident that the latter were beaten beyond 
all hope. 

It thus turned out that the very plan, so appar- 
ently well selected on the part of John and Muro, 
was crushed by the defeat of the two tribes. 

The runner which the Professor sent back to 
Uraso and Ralsea did not return. He should 
have been back before noon. 

Calling one of the principal warriors he ques- 
tioned him : 

“Did you know the direction and distance that 
the runner went?” 


SABOEOS TO THE EESCUE 213 


“Yes ; to the north.” 

“Do yon know what time he should have re- 
turned?” 

“He should have been here when the sun was up 
there,” and he pointed to the position of the sun 
which was well before the noon hour. 

“Can you send a fast runner there?” 

“Yes.” 

“What have you learned about the band toward 
the left?” 

“We have not seen them since they left early 
this morning.” 

“Bring the runner here as quickly as you can.” 

The one indicated for the mission came up 
quickly, and the Professor, addressing him, said : 

“Balsea and Uraso have gone to the north, and 
I have had no word from them since last night. Gro 
to them at once and tell them that I have moved 
the Berees to the northwest, and tell them, also, 
that a tribe moved away from us this morning, 
in that same direction, and they may be going to- 
ward my people.” 

Then giving directions to the warriors, they 
started forward to follow in the trail of the mys- 
terious tribe that had left them early in the morn- 
ing. 

Before three o’clock one of the scouts from the 
west appeared in their midst and hurriedly ex- 
plained the situation. 

“The tribe which left us was followed until 
they met another lot of warriors, and are now 
fighting with them.” 

“How long will it take to reach them?” 


214 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


He indicated two hours. 

“Then lead us in that direction at once.” 

In less than a half hour the Professor struck the 
trail of the tribe which had so peculiarly vanished 
in the morning, and it was now easy to track them. 

For the past three days they had heard no 
sounds of the guns from the party in the wagon, 
and the Professor inferred, either that they had 
succeeded in resisting the assault made on them, 
or might have been captured, and were now in the 
possession of one or the other of the tribes which 
were fighting for possession. 

Night came before they were able to reach the 
scene of the fight. The Professor stationed 
guards around the camp, and gave instructions 
to inform him of any suspicious movements in 
either direction. 

It was singular, indeed, that the last runner 
sent to Uraso and Ralsea had not returned. Sev- 
eral times during the night the watchers from 
the east came to the Professor, and he hurried 
out with them to try and ascertain what the dis- 
turbances there might mean. 

Early in the morning, however, it was seen that 
a war party was in the immediate vicinity on the 
east. This news was startling enough to cause 
the Professor to call in the pickets and investigate 
the position of the new enemy. 

“Who are they?” he asked of the chief man 
left with him. 

“They look like the Saboros.” 

“Find out at once.” 

Before the picket had time to return and report, 


SABOROS TO THE RESCUE 215 


others came rushing in with the announcement 
that the Saboros were now forming to charge 
them. 

At this news the Professor ordered the warriors 
to move forward until they had reached the open. 
Then commanding the warriors to remain he 
marched forward alone and unarmed, to the 
amazement of those with him. 

“Can we go with you?” pleaded the boys. 

“Yes.” 

The Saboros looked on him with astonishment. 
With a shout one of the warriors rushed out from 
the ranks and across the intervening space and 
embraced the Professor. 

It was Stut. He looked at the boys as he was 
about to treat them in the same way, and started 
back in surprise. 

“Where are the boys?” 

“Still in the wagon.” 

“Where is the wagon?” 

“I do not know.” 

Then, looking at the Berees, he was amazed at 
the situation. 

“Tell me,” said the Professor, “why did you 
not come before?” 

“The Kurabus captured me, and if it had not 
been for the Brabos I would have been killed. 
But do you know where Muro is?” 

“I do not know. Three days ago they fought 
a battle with some one to the north, as we heard 
their guns, but we know nothing more since.” 

The Saboros came up. Many of them had met 
the Professor before — once in the battle in the 


216 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


vicinity of West River, and once far to the east 
when they were allied with the Kurabus, at the 
time Stut was captured. 

Stut told about the different ones, and what 
their stations were, and they crowded around this 
remarkable man about whom such wonderful tales 
had been told. 

“Do you know who those people are that are 
fighting in the west?” 

“We heard that the Iliyas had gone to the 
west.” 

“Do you know what they went there for?” 

“They were going there to attack the Berees 
and Osagas.” 

“Do you know why?” 

“They claimed that the Osagas rescued their 
captives from them.” 

“Do you know who the captives were?” 

“Yes; some of your people.” 

“Were your people coming here before you 
reached them?” 

“Yes ; that is why I met them so soon. I suc- 
ceeded in getting away only three days ago, when 
the largest portion of the Brabos attacked and de- 
stroyed the Kurabus’ village.” 

“Then they did not know Muro was with us ?” 

“No.” 

“Why did they start on the warpath?” 

“They learned that the white men who had 
killed Uraso were in the west, and they supposed 
that if Uraso had been killed I would also be 
offered up as a sacrifice.” 

“But Uraso was not killed.” 


SABOROS TO THE RESCUE 217 


“Not killed? Where is he?” 

“He and Ralsea are now np to the north, and 
watching the Iliyas and the Kurabus.” 

“Are they fighting?” 

“Yes ; but whom we do not know.” 

“Then it must be the Brabos.” 

“But the Osagas have also gone to the north.” 

“How do you know that?” 

“Because we came through their village, and 
have been following them.” 

Stut and the Saboros looked at each other. 

“If that is the case, then the Osagas have joined 
the Brabos.” 

‘‘No doubt, then, the force we saw to the west of 
us yesterday was the Osagas.” 

“Where are they now?” asked Stut. 

“To the northwest, and we are following them.” 

This news that Osaga was safe produced a 
marked impression on the Saboros, because 
through family ties the heads of the two tribes 
were united, and these two peoples were always 
most friendly with each other. 

“Did you know that Osaga was captured by the 
Iliyas?” asked the Professor. 

“No!” exclaimed Stut in astonishment. 

He immediately imparted this news to his war- 
riors, and the effect was such as to indicate that 
they held a most bitter resentment toward that 
tribe. 

In the absence of Muro, Stut was the chief of 
the tribe, and this was gratifying news to the Pro- 
fessor. They must proceed to the north with 
their combined forces, and by uniting with the 


218 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


Brabos and Osagas, crush two of the most villain- 
ous people. 

One of the chief men under Stut immediately 
came forward, and said: “We would not have 
gone to the assistance of the Osagas in their tight 
against the white men, but we learned that the 
Tuolos and the Kurabus had also made a treaty, 
and intended to destroy them, as well as the Bra- 
bos, so that we wanted to get the white men first.” 

The Professor could hardly credit this startling 
piece of information. 

“Do you think, then, that the Tuolos also are 
with the Kurabus and the Iliyas 1 ?” asked the Pro- 
fessor earnestly. 

“Yes.” 

A commotion was noticed among the Berees, 
and one of the runners sent in advance, toward 
what now appeared to be the Osagas, reported 
that the latter and Brabos had routed the two 
other forces, and were pursuing to the north. 

“If that is the case, the Tuolos have not yet 
come up.” 

“We must go forward at once,” exclaimed the 
Professor. 

The combined forces set out on the march. 
Together they numbered two hundred and twenty 
men. There was the utmost good feeling between 
the two people, as was evident. 

“Isn’t this good !” cried Will. “What a sight it 
will be when we reach the Osagas !” 

“I wish I knew where the boys were,” responded 
Jim. 

And the Professor echoed that sentiment. 


CHAPTEB XVIII 


THE TERRIBLE FIGHT AND FINAL VICTORY 

“I suppose we are in for it again,” was John’s 
terse comment, when he saw how the tide of battle 
had turned. 

“We must go to the north,” was Muro’s answer. 

And sorrowfully and sadly the march began. 
It was not a march; it was a hurried retreat. 
They had nothing to hope from the Brabos, and 
if the force to the south had staked their for- 
tunes with the latter, it was evident that they 
would not interfere with the desire of that tribe. 

John knew that the Brabos were the first tribe 
they had seen and engaged on the island. If they 
had known that the Osagas were the allies of that 
tribe, they would have halted and shown fight to 
the fleeing warriors. 

The day had been a most trying one to the 
poor yaks. The roads were terrible to travel over, 
and they had been forced every step of the way. 
Jill, the smaller of the two animals, began to 
show the effect of the pace, and would not be 
urged along. 

Angel, as usual, was in the trees, wherever they 
were near the line of travel. While thus going 
forward, he was seen to spring down from a tree, 
and began setting up the most violent chatter. 

George knew what that meant. “What is it, 
Angel? Which way?” 


219 


220 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


He selected a tree, and Angel was up alongside 
and looked to the north. Far in the distance could 
he seen a large body of warriors coming down 
rapidly. 

Muro and Sutoto sprang to the tree, hut not 
before George cried out : “A big party is coming 
in from the north.” 

Sutoto looked at Muro, and then, addressing 
John, said: 

“The Tuolos are coming.” 

This information was almost overwhelming. 
They were about to be crushed between three of 
the bitterest and most vindictive foes on the is- 
land. It could not be helped. They must now 
tight to the last extremity, as the Professor had 
said. 

“Our situation here will depend, largely, on the 
actions of the warriors who are pursuing the Ul- 
yas and Kurabus. If they follow up vigorously, 
it will surely involve us.” John’s conclusions 
were acquiesced in by Muro. 

“How far are we from the river?” asked John. 

Sutoto answered : “Probably a half hour,” 
which he indicated by the sun. 

“Turn in that direction at once.” 

The boys now saw where their salvation lay; 
but Muro and Sutoto at once protested. £hump 
now spoke: “You do not know what a wonderful 
way they have to cross streams. These pieces 
(pointing to the fort sections) are used to float 
the wagon across.” 

“But what will they do with the curees (yaks) ?” 

“The curees pull them over.” 


TERRIBLE FIGHT, AND VICTORY 221 

There was no further protest. A half hour 
would not be long, and within ten minutes after 
they reached the river bank the floats could be 
ready, and from that vantage point they would 
be able to defy the island. 

Muro kept his position in the wagon top and 
soon called out to John: 

“They are driving the Kurabus toward the 
river. We had better stop.” 

“If that is the case the fort should be erected,” 
answered John. 

“By all means.” 

“Harry, drive the wagon up to the large tree 
at the elevation to the right ; and get ready, boys, 
to unload and place the sections in position.” 

Within five minutes the wagon was turned 
around and one end abutted the tree. This was a 
small pine, with the branches not far from the 
ground, and the lower limbs could be easily reached 
by those in the wagon top. 

The fort sections were installed within ten min- 
utes thereafter, and the guns and ammunition ar- 
ranged in the order agreed on. The victorious 
bands were having things their own way. The 
Iliyas were next to the river, and the Kurabus 
were farther inland. 

The, * pursuing Brabos were following direct 
after the Kurabus, and the other tribe, which had 
not yet been made out, were on the trail of the 
Illvas, and the latter were, therefore, moving 
directly toward the wagon. 

John and Muro were up in the tree, watching 
the movements. 


222 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


The former called down : “At the rate they are 
now coming forward, they will reach ns in less 
than a half hour.” 

“What shall we do when they pass us?” asked 
Harry. 

“We shall certainly give them a salute,” was 
his response. 

Muro called John’s attention to an object not 
far to the northwest. Both watched it intently. 
There was no doubt a savage there coming up 
stealthily. 

With an expression John did not understand, 
Muro glided down the tree and leaped over the 
end of the wagon, and sprang out into the brush. 

John saw him go forward unhesitatingly to the 
place of concealment, and finally the object ap- 
peared, and rushed toward Muro. 

He saw them embrace, and both came forward, 
and long before they came to the wagon, John 
recognized Uraso. 

“Uraso is here,” cried John, and the boys 
leaped up to the top of the fort, and each one 
tried to be the first to grasp him by the hand and 
welcome him. 

He had never seen Blakely before, but never- 
theless Blakely gave him a welcome, and when 
his eyes lighted on Sutoto, he could not wait to 
get over the barrier to extend a welcome to him. 

“How did you happen to come here?” 

“I escaped from the Iliyas, and found the Pro- 
fessor at the head of the Berees, and he is below 
here following up the fighters.” 

“My people are helping the Brabos.” 


TERRIBLE FIGHT, AND VICTORY 223 

“Then they are the ones nearest the river V 7 
Uraso looked to the south, and his face lighted 
up as he said: “They are the Osagas,” and he 



felt proud to know that his people were in the 
coalition against the two tribes. 

John pointed to the north: “Do you see that 
tribe coming ?” 

“Yes; and they are the Tuolos.” 


224 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


“How did you know they were coming ?” 

“I found one of the Brabos that you wounded 
three days ago.” 

“Did he tell you where we were?” 

“Yes; without him, I should have returned to 
the Professor last night.” 

“Where is the Professor now?” 

“He is probably near the Brabos, or southeast 
of the position now occupied by the Osagas.” 

“Why did you leave the Professor?” 

“I came with Ralsea to find the Osagas, but 
when we came up, found that the Kurabus were 
coming from the north and had joined the. Ulyas, 
so that my route to the Osagas was cut off.” 

“Why did the Professor try to follow the 
Osagas?” 

“Because he was told at the Osaga village that 
they had gone to capture the wagon.” 

“Why should the Osagas be at enmity with 
us?” 

“They understood I had been killed by the white 
men.” 

“Do you know where my people are?” asked 
Muro. 

“They are with the Professor,” and when Muro 
learned this he danced around in delight. 

The boys manifested every evidence of joy at 
this good news. The Professor was not only 
safe, but with the Berees and Saboros, and com- 
ing forward as rapidly as possible. This was 
glorious, indeed. 

The first indications the Professor had that they 
were near the contending forces was during the 


TERRIBLE FIGHT, AND VICTORY 225 

afternoon, when they passed over the scene of 
the battle ground the day before. Here were bows 
and arrows, articles of clothing, broken spears, 
and here and there articles of food scattered about 
in confusion. 

This is where the Kurabus made the first stand. 
The 0 sagas were not in sight, and, indeed, the 
Brabos were not yet in evidence. Before six 
o’clock Ralsea came in and at once sought out the 
Professor. “I have good news for you,” were his 
first words. 

“Have you seen my people?” asked the Profes- 
sor in excitement. 

“No; but Uraso has gone to them.” 

“Where are they now?” 

“Somewhere north of the Kurabus and Iliyas.” 

“Then they must be in their line of retreat.” 

“Yes.” 

“Have you seen any signs of the Tuolos?” 

“Yes, they are coming down direct to the posi- 
tion held by your people.” 

“Is there anything we can do to assist them?” 

“That is why I came to tell you, while IJraso 
went to them.” 

“Can we go part of the way to-night?” 

“Yes ; I can lead the way.” 

“Then send a messenger to the Osagas at once 
and inform them that you are here to assist them 
and that Uraso is here, and all are opposed to the 
Kurabus, the Ulyas and the Tuolos.” 

“I can get a good runner for that purpose.” 

“Also tell the runner to inform the Osagas that 


226 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


the Tuolos are on the way from the north to aid 
their enemies.” 

“How did you learn that the Tuolos have joined 
with the others?” 

“Uraso and myself found one of the Brabos 
who had been wounded by your friends, and he 
informed us of this.” 

“Why are the Brabos at war with the Kura- 
bus ?” 

“Because on their last raid against the Berees, 
and while their warriors were absent, they cap- 
tured and destroyed one of their principal vil- 
lages.” 

The Professor was further informed that at no 
time had the Brabos and the Saboros been at war 
with each other, and he thus learned sufficient to 
know that the meeting with the Brabos could be 
easily arranged so as to leave no resentment on 
their part. 

This feature of the case was one which gave the 
Professor a great deal of concern. He desired to 
weld together the tribes in bonds of unity, and it 
was highly important that they should come up 
with the Osagas first, because, as the latter were 
allies, they could more forcibly impress on the 
Brabos the desirability of cementing a lasting 
peace. 

Another thing of importance, which he had 
learned from the Chief Suros of the Berees, was 
the unstable character of the Brabos, and the more 
or les^ vindictiveness which was one of their 
traits. 

The Professor hoped that they might be able 


TERRIBLE FIGHT, AND VICTORY 227 

to reach the field of battle before the fight was de- 
cided, because, now that the wagon and its occu- 
pants were safe, as they had reason to believe, 
he was anxious to prevent the Osagas and Brabos 
from wreaking terrible vengeance on the two van- 
quished tribes. It would be a poor beginning for 
the work of pacification. 

Camp had to be made again that day without 
reaching the Osagas. Runners were again sent 
out to try and find the most direct trail, and none 
of them returned before morning, and the two 
columns were under way as soon as it was light 
enough to see. 

Soon the first runner came in with the stirring 
news that the Brabos were engaged with a party 
of Kurabus, which had tried to break through to 
the east, and by ten o’clock the Professor was star- 
tled by the sound of the guns at the fort. 

The firing came from a direction which was al- 
most due north, and turning to Ralsea, said: “ I 
supposed they were way to the left of that posi- 
tion.” 

“No ; the river makes quite a turn at the point 
where they are, and from the information we re- 
ceived from the wounded Brabo, the wagon must 
be somewhere near the bend, which projects out to 
the east.” 

“Then to reach the Osagas we must go still far- 
ther west?” 

“Yes.” 

The firing was a rapid one, and showed that they 
must be attacked with vigor. 

Soon the firing ceased, and the Professor 


228 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


breathed freer, and the column pushed forward 
directly to the river. 

The runner came in with news that the Osagas 
were within two hours’ march, and renewed en- 
ergy was put into the marching force. 

Uraso danced about the boys and expressed his 
delight at the opportunity to help them. He told 
them about the Professor, and of the two boys, 
but he did not know their names. He also told 
about several other boys who were held by the 
Iliyas, and of a white man. 

This latter information interested John and 
Blakely, of course. All of them ached for an op- 
portunity to go to the Iliyas’ country and effect 
their release. 

“That is the first thing which will be done after 
this little affair here is settled,” exclaimed John, 
with some energy. 

“The Tuolos are close at hand,” cried out 
George. The latter came down the tree in a hurry 
now. 

“Where are the Kurabusf’ 

“Some of them are trying to break across the 
country to the east.” 

“Let us keep the same order we did four days 
ago.” 

Uraso needed no instructions, but he had never 
yet fired one of the guns, and he really felt 
ashamed when he saw Muro, Chump and Sutoto 
with guns. 

John saw the situation at once, and placed him 
by the side of Muro, who told him hurriedly what 
to do. The character of the attack on the part of 


TERRIBLE FIGHT, AND VICTORY 229 

the Tuolos was sufficient to inform the occupants 
of the wagon that they knew who were before 
them. It is singular, however, that neither the 
Kurabus nor the Iliyas knew of it being in that 
spot. 

This intimate knowledge of the situation was 
brought about by the Tuolos’ perfect system of 
scouting the country, and this ignorance on the 
part of the two fighting tribes could be excused 
only on the ground that they were making the 
fight of their lives, and had enough to do to keep 
out of the way of the advancing Brahos and Osa- 
gas. 

As the Tuolos rushed to the wagon all the gar- 
rison were collected together at that side, and 
when they had come within less than a hundred 
and fifty feet, John ordered the first volley. 

“Cease firing and reload,” he ordered. 

The shot at this distance was a frightful one to 
the attacking party; but they considered for a mo- 
ment only, and then, slightly wavering, were again 
urged forward by the chief. 

“Take the reserve guns.” They had no time 
to reload before the rush was again on. 

This second shot produced the indecision neces- 
sary to finish the reloading of the guns. 

“Fire the moment you reload, and make every 
shot count,” was the next injunction. 

“The Kurabus are coming.” Ralph saw the 
movement. 

“The noise of the volleys is bringing them up, 
and we are going to be in for it now,” exclaimed 
Blakely. “Well, let us give the best we have.” 


230 


CAPTURE AND PUESUIT 


“This will be the best notice we can give to the 
Professor,” replied John, who was now on all sides 
of the wagon, and inspecting the guns and ammu- 
nition. 

“Reserve your fire, and wait until you can get 
absolutely sure marks. From this time on we 
will fire as fast as we can reload.” 

At no time in the history of their struggles did 
they face such a critical period. To the north 
were the Tuolos, to the southwest the Iliyas, and 
to the south the Kurabus. 

It is true that the two latter tribes were being 
pursued by the Brabos and Osagas ; but the com- 
ing up of their allies, the Tuolos from the north, 
put quite another phase to the situation. 

John turned to Uraso : “Did the Professor know 
that the Tuolos were coming to the assistance of 
their allies?” 

“Yes ; if Ralsea has been able to reach him.” 

“Is it likely the Osagas and the Brabos know 
this?” 

“I do not know.” 

There was no further time for talk now. The 
Tuolos saw the Kurabus, who were the first to 
come up, and in the distance, hard pressed, were 
the Iliyas. 

The Osagas and the Brabos must have heard 
the firing of the guns. To them it added another 
exciting element to the situation. They now had 
an opportunity to capture the whites as well. 

They had no news of the arrival of the Tuolos. 

The three tribes waited until all were in posi- 
tion, and then with spears rushed forward to 



“ Each one trying to be the first to grasp Uraso by the hand , 
and welcome him” 


[See p. 222] 














































































. - ■ 












































‘ 



TERRIBLE FIGHT AND VICTORY 231 


overwhelm the little fort and its occupants by the 
force of numbers. 

“Boys, never surrender!” cried out John, and 
they stood together and grimly awaited the on- 
coming hosts. 

The Professor and the two tribes came up to 
the Brabos, and the surprise on their part was 
sufficient to cause a temporary stampede. Ralsea. 
rushed forward to the chief, and held up his hands, 
but seeing the Professor and the two boys, could 
not understand this attitude of the chief. 

“We are your friends. These white people are 
your friends. The Saboros are all here and have 
come to aid you. Where are the Osagas?” 

“To our left. They are coming up.” 

Just then the second attack was made on the 
wagon by the combined forces of Iliyas, Kurabus 
and Tuolos. 

Not far ahead, and to their left, were the Osa- 
gas, coming up in great excitement at the firing 
of the shots. The messenger from the Professor 
had reached them. At first the Brabos were in- 
clined to be resentful, but as the Osagas came up 
they shouted: 

“The Tuolos, the Tuolos,” and then they knew 
that unless they secured aid they might be de- 
feated and driven back. 

The Professor did not wait to argue the ques- 
tion, and, turning to Ralsea, shouted : “Order the 
men forward ; go to the left and aim straight for 
the wagon.” 

The Saboros now sprang directly to the front, 
passing between the Osagas and the Brabos, and 


232 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


when the three forces, which had attacked the 
wagon, were enveloping the brave defenders, the 
Professor and the two boys, Will and Jim, rushed 
up to the fort and the latter screamed : “Hurrah ! 
Hurrah !” 

The Sebrees, with the Professor, followed, and 
surrounded the wagon. The boys within sprang 
to the top of the fort the moment the shouts of 
Jim and Will rang out. John had seen the head of 
the Saboros and checked the firing. 

The sudden appearance of the Sebrees and the 
Osagas was noticed by the Tuolos before the Ili- 
yas knew what was happening, and the grand re- 
treat began. John and Muro and Sutoto leaped 
from the fort. 

“After them,” shrieked John, and the Sebrees 
and Osagas were too much in earnest now to need 
the command. Uraso embraced the ones in his 
tribe that were nearest, and they followed him 
after the fleeing warriors. 

A number of the Kurabus were too near to es- 
cape from the enveloping column, and were cap- 
tured. Less of the Iliyas were taken, *but the Tuo- 
los had time to make their escape. It was late 
that night when all the warriors returned. 

The Saboros, Osagas, Berees and Brabos sur- 
rounded the wagon, and it was a sight. The sides 
were full of spears and arrows, but not a single 
shot had gone through, nor was one of the defend- 
ers wounded. 

They came out, and after embracing each other 
with tears of joy, they all went around to the war- 
riors and shook hands with them, and the first 


TERRIBLE FIGHT, AND VICTORY 233 

thing that the Professor did was to bring np the 
Brabo chief and rubbed his nose in token of friend- 
ship, and this was followed up by a similar sign on 
the part of the others. 

But they all knew that the present victory did 
not mean the submission of all on the island. The 
three most powerful tribes were their enemies, 
and in the following volume, “The Conquest of 
the Savages,” will tell of the thrilling exploits of 
the allied people under the wise guidance of the 
Professor, and those who were with him. 












GLOSSARY OF WORDS 
USED IN TEXT OF THIS VOLUME 


Accelerated. 

Acquiesced. 

Admonished. 

Affirmed. 

Alternative. 

Anointing. 

Aphasia. 

Appellation. 

Archeological. 

Arsenal. 

Arteries. 

Averting. 

Bacterial. 

Cavalcade. 

Cessation. 

Cementing. 

Circulatory. 

Circulation. 

Coveted. 

Climatic. 

Characterized. 

Cohesion. 

Consternation. 

Consecrated. 

Coagulated. 

Confederate. 

Concord. 

Congenial. 

Congested. 

Cowered. 

Cooperative. 

Concerted. 

Coalition. 

Deference. 

Delectable. 

Detour. 


Quickened; hurried. 

Agreed to. 

Warned; notified to be careful, or concerning an event. 
Proven ; shown that the statement was true. 

Either one or the other. 

The rite of applying oil for the purpose of setting 
apart an individual for a certain purpose. 

The disease which causes loss of memory. 

The term used to designate a name of a person. 
Delating to the science of antiquities. 

A store house of weapons and ammunition. 

The ducts in the body which carry the blood from 
the heart. 

The act of preventing; keeping from doing things. 
Pertaining to the infection of the blood or system 
by poisonous germs. 

A parade; originally a troop of horsemen. 

The act of quitting or stopping. 

Bringing together; to cause to adhere. 

The term applied to anything which has free move- 
ment. 

Applied to the movement of the blood through the 
arteries and veins. 

Wished for; usually applied to a wrongful desire to 
take something from another. 

Pertaining to the seasons or the weather. 

Named; designated. 

Attracted; sticking together. 

Awe; fear; afraid of consequences. 

Set apart for a purpose or a use. 

To curdle or form into a clot. 

An ally; a friend in the same cause. 

In agreement with. Having the same feelings. 
Friendly feeling; pleasant relations. 

To collect in a mass ; an unhealthy accumulation. 
Subdued; made to feel fear. 

The joining together for mutual aid or encouragement. 
Acting together. 

The term applied to the uniting of various parties 
to effect a purpose in concert. 

Showing obedience, or willingness; to yield. 

Pleasant ; agreeable ; satisfactory. 

Going around; making a sweeping movement about 
a certain point. 

235 


236 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


Detached. 

Decomposition. 

Derange. 

Desist. 

Depicted. 

Depleted. 

Dissecting. 

Disorganize. 

Diplomatic. 

Discerned. 

Diagnosed. 

Exuberance. 

Eluding. 

Encounter. 

Enveloping. 


Extract. 

Execution. 

Exacted. 

Facilitate. 

Faction. 

Gesticulate. 

Gratification. 

Gruesome. 

Groin. 

Guttural. 

Hazardous. 

Hemorrhages. 

Hilarity. 

Imperious. 

Immeasurably. 

Impression. 

Initiative. 

Instinct. 

Intuitively. 

Injunction. 

Inflamed. 


Infection. 

Incautiously. 

Intimately. 

Inaction. 

Injection. 

Interred. 

Invariable. 


Taken away from ; separated from others. 

To go back into its original elements. 

Out of order; not in proper condition. 

To stop; to quit. 

Explained, either by words or pictures. 

To reduce; to lessen; to take away from. 

To cut apart or to pieces. 

To make disorderly; to badly arrange. 

The term used to designate the science of conducting 
negotiations wisely. 

Noticed; observed. 

The course of a disease noted and discovered. 
Elated; exceedingly happy. 

To avoid ; to get away from. 

To meet; to come into contact with. 

A term applied to a military movement, which has 
reference to a force surrounding or encircling an- 
other. 

To take out of ; to obtain the essence. 

To perform; to carry out. 

To demand of; to require some particular thing. 

To hurry up; speedily doing a thing. 

A small party or portion of a main body or people. 
Bodily motions which indicate excitement, or a de- 
sire to impart information. 

Satisfaction over the outcome; agreeable feeling. 

An object which excites loathsome feelings. 

The fold or crease where the thigh joins the abdo- 
men. 

Of or pertaining to the throat. 

Involving danger, risk or loss. 

Discharge of blood from a wounded blood vessel. 
Being jubilant; happy; joyous. 

In a haughty manner. 

Beyond measure; a large amount or quantity. 

An effect produced. 

To start; to make the first effort. 

A mental knowledge which precedes actual informa- 
tion. 

Knowing a thing without being directly told. 

To warn; to advise concerning. 

The term applied to a portion of the body where the 
blood by congestion causes redness. Also exciting 
another to do a certain thing. 

To communicate a thing or a disease to another. 
Without much care; or in an unwise manner. 
Closely associated with. 

Quiet; not vigorous. 

To insert into; to place within. 

Buried. 

The same; without any change. 


GLOSSARY 


237 


Invasion. 

Incumbent. 

Inaccessible. 

Insisted. 

Intervening. 

Incantation. 

Intercept. 

Infinite. 

Inventory. 

Indignant. 

Isolation. 

Jargon. 

Limitation. 

Malignant. 

Modified. 

Momentary. 

Numerically. 

Nutriment. 

Obliterate. 

Obeisance. 

Obnoxious. 

Parley. 

Paralysis. 

Pantomimic. 

Perplexities. 

Peremptory. 

Perceptible. 

Perceived. 

Physique. 

Physical. 

Portable. 

Presumption. 

Proximity. 

Prediction. 

Privation. 

Pronounced. 

Precaution. 

Protracted. 

Putrefaction. 

Recess. 

Refrain. 

Reluctantly. 

Restraining. 

Reciprocate. 


To enter; to come into. 

Necessary; desirable. 

Not easily gotten at; difficult to approach. 

To continuing a request. 

Placing between; something interposed. 

The saying or singing of magical words, in a relig- 
ious ceremony. 

To go between; that which is cut off. 

Without end; continuous. 

To list; to take stock or account of. 

Anger or scorn aroused by a wrong. 

Left alone; without company. 

Confused; unintelligible speech. 

A small amount ; a definite portion or part. 

Having or exhibiting extreme viciousness. 

Changed to suit; newly arranged. 

For the time being only. 

Judged by numbers. 

Substances necessary to sustain life. 

To wipe out; to extinguish. 

To bow to; acknowledgment of superiority. 
Unsavory; not pleasant; objectionable. 

To talk with; conference. 

A species of disease, wherein the motor nerves are 
deranged and made useless. 

A show wherein the features and actions are de- 
signed to describe or display words or intentions. 
Difficulties, not easily surmounted in the mind. 
Determined order ; decision without delay. 

Noticeable; easily seen. 

Something readily noticed. 

Pertaining to the" outlines of the human form. 
Relating to the characteristics of the body. 

That which may be moved. 

That which is judged from a certain act or thing. 
Close to; very near. 

Stating what will happen as a consequence, or in the 
future. 

Being denied what is necessary for comfort or con- 
venience. 

Very evident; something that is plain. 

Taking care; the act of making sure. 

Stretching out; continuing for some time. 

Matter which is in a state of decomposition, or be- 
ing disorganized. 

A space cut out of material. Also an interim. 

To keep from ; to avoid. 

Not willingly; drawing back. 

Holding back; to keep from. 

To repay; to do an act in exchange for another. 


238 


CAPTURE AND PURSUIT 


Reconnoiter. To examine, or make preliminary survey of in mili- 
tary operations. 

Recreation. To put in its former condition. 

Reinstalled. To put in the same condition it was designed to be 
placed; to set up again. 

Reversing. In the opposite direction. 

Reconciliation. To have the affections restored; an agreement. 

Requisition. A demand; something that is required. 

Reproachful. Looking on the act of another with sorrow. 

Resentment. The act of repaying another for a wrong, or for 

some deed. 

Rudimentary. The elements which originally form the subject of 
matters of things. 

Ruptured. Breaking; torn; to rend asunder. 

Saponify. To convert into soap by the action of an alkali. 

Semi-tropical. Pertaining to or characteristics of regions near the 
tropics. 

Septic. That which is productive of putrefaction. 

Sortie. A rush upon a foe. 

Spinal Column. The backbone. 

Species. A group of animals or plants, which have slight 

changes from each other. 

Speculation. The act of man to theorize on certain subjects. 

Also business of investing and carrying on trade. 

Surveyed. Looking over. Also to lay out or describe meets 
and bounds. 

Supremacy. Having the power ; one capable of commanding. 

Stratagems. The art of arranging troops. The act of planning. 

Synthetic. Making up from original elements. The opposite of 

analysis. 

Symptoms. Indications; in illness, the appearance of the body. 

Talisman. Something that produces or is capable of producing 
a wonderful effect. 

Tissues. The parts of the body, like the flesh and muscles. 

Toxic. A poison ; that which has an effect like alcohol. 

Tribute. To give what is due; to repay. 

Trepidity. Trembling with fear. 

Traversed. Traveled over. 

Tracts. A term applied to the veins, pores, arteries, or any 

other ducts or passages in the body. 

Tumult. An uproar; a commotion. 

Unique. Something out of the ordinary. 

Unstable. That which is not rigid; yielding. 

Vanished. Gone out of sight; that which has left. 

Vanquished. Beaten ; defeated. 

Vantage. A position of superiority; an advantage. 

Venom. Poison; that which has an ill effect; also applied to 

a wish which indicates harm. 

Virulent. Extreme; the desire to do wrong. 

Vindictive. An act which shows a design to do a wrong. 

Voluble. Verv talkative. 


THE “ HOW-TO-DO-IT ” BOOKS 


Carpentry for Boys 

A book which treats, in a most practical and fascinating manner 
all subjects pertaining to the “ King of Trades showing the care 
and use of tools; drawing; designing, and the laying out of work; 
the principles involved in the building of various kinds of struc- 
tures, and the rudiments of architecture. It contains over two 
hundred and fifty illustrations made especially for this work, and 
includes also a complete glossary of the technical terms used in the 
art. The most comprehensive volume on this subject ever pub- 
lished for boys. 


Electricity for Boys 

The author has adopted the unique plan of setting forth the funda- 
mental principles in each phase of the science, and practically 
applying the work in the successive stages. It shows how the 
knowledge has been developed, and the reasons for the various 
phenomena, without using technical words so as to bring it within 
the compass of every boy. It has a complete glossary of terms, and 
is illustrated with two hundred original drawings. 


Practical Mechanics for Boys 

This book takes the beginner through a comprehensive series of 
practical shop work, in which the uses of tools, and the structure 
and handling of shop machinery are set forth; how they are utilized 
to perform the work, and the manner in which all dimensional work 
is carried out. Every subject is illustrated, and model building 
explained. It contains a glossary which comprises a new system of 
cross references, a feature that will prove a welcome departure in 
explaining subjects. Fully illustrated. 


Price 60 cents 'per volume 


THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY 

147 Fourth Avenue New York 


The Hickory Ridge Boy Scouts 

A SERIES OF BOOKS FOR BOYS 

Which, in addition to the interesting boy scout stories by CAPTAIN ALAN 
DOUGLAS, Scoutmaster, contain articles on nature lore, native animals 
and a fund of other information pertaining to out-of-door life, 
that will appeal to the boy’s love of the open 


I. The Campfires of the Wolf Patrol 

Their first camping experience affords the scouts splendid opportunities to use 
their recently acquired knowledge in a practical way. Elmer Chenoweth, a lad 
from the northwest woods, astonishes everyone by his familiarity with camp 
life. A clean, wholesome story every boy should read. 

II. Woodcraft; or, How a Patrol Leader Made Good 

This tale presents many stirring situations in which some of the boys are called 
upon to exercise all their ingenuity and unselfishness. A story filled with 
healthful excitement. 

III. Pathfinder; or, The Missing Tenderfoot 

Some mysteries are cleared up in a most unexpected way, greatly to the credit 
of our young friends. A var'ety of incidents follow fast, one after the other. 

IV. Fast Nine; or, a Challenge From Fairfield 

They show the same team-work here as when in camp. The description of the 
final game with the team of a rival town, and the outcome thereof, form a 
stirring narrative. One of the best baseball stories of recent years. 

V. Great Hike; or. The Pride of The Khaki Troop 

After weeks of preparation the scouts start out on their greatest undertaking. 
Their march takes them far from home, and the good-natured rivalry of the 
different patrols furnishes many interesting and amusing situations. 

VI. Endurance Test; or, How Clear Grit Won the Day 

Few stories “get” us more than illustrations of pluck in the face of apparent 
failure. Our heroes show the stuff they are made of and surprise their most 
ardent admirers. One of the best stories Captain Douglas has written. 

Boy Scout Nature Lore to be Found in The Hickory Ridge 
Boy Scout Series 

Wild Animals of the United States — Tracking — in Number I. 

Trees ana Wild Flowers of the United States in Number II. 

Reptiles of the United States in Number III. 

Fishes of the United States in Number IV. 

Insects of the United States in Number V. 

Birds of the United States in Number VI. 


Cloth Binding Cover Illustrations in Four Colors 40c. Per Volume 


THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY 

147 FOURTH AVENUE (near 14th St.) NEW YORK 


THE 

Campfire and Trail Series 


1 . In Camp on the Big Sunflower. 

2. The Rivals of the Trail. 

3. The Strange Cabin on Catamount Island. 

4. Lost in the Great Dismal Swamp. 

5. With Trapper Jim in the North Woods. 

6. Caught in a Forest Fire. 

By LAWRENCE J. LESLIE 


A series of wholesome stories for boys told 
in an interesting way and appealing to their 
love of the open. 


Each, l2mo. Cloth. 40 cents per volume 


THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY 
147 FOURTH AVENUE 
NEW YORK 


Christy Mathewson’s Book 

A Ripping Good 
Baseball Story 
by One Who 
Knows the Game 

5 book has attained a 
sale than any baseball 
ver published. 

narrative deals with the 
s of a large university 
and their baseball team, the members of which 
have names which enable the reader to recognize them 
as some of the foremost baseball stars of the day before 
their entrance into the major leagues. 

One gains a very clear idea of “inside baseball” 
stripped of wearisome technicalities. The book is pro- 
fusely illustrated throughout and contains also a number 
of plates showing the manner in which Mathewson 
throws his deceptive curves, together with brief descrip- 
tion of each. 

Cloth hound 5}/2 x 7% ‘Price 50c. per volume 

THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY 



147 FOURTH AVENUE 


NEW YORK 
























































s 







\ 











fc 


I 




























































- 





































■ 


l 





































































































